The University of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at San Antonio — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
The University of Texas at San Antonio at a Glance
The University of Texas at San Antonio is a public research university in San Antonio, Texas. Established in 1969, UTSA is the largest university in San Antonio and the third-largest public research university in Texas by annual research expenditures, enrolling approximately 38,200 students across six campuses spanning about 1,200 acres.
1969
57 years old
$1.1B
$1.15 billion ( FY 2024) (UTSA only) $47.47 billion (FY2024) (system-wide)
38,223
33,336 undergrad · 4,887 grad
1,556
725 acres
Identity
How to Apply to The University of Texas at San Antonio
Official admissions page$75
Fee waiver available
Fee waiver
Is The University of Texas at San Antonio Worth It?
The University of Texas at San Antonio delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $10,836/year, it's priced 47% below average, while graduates go on to earn $57,131 — 6% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 52% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How The University of Texas at San Antonio compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in TX
Ranked #17 of 56 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #2 | California State University-Fresno | 100 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| #3 | California State University-Fullerton | 100 | $6,555 | $62,951 |
| #4 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #5 | California State University-Northridge | 100 | $7,021 | $59,115 |
| #6 | Santa Ana College | 100 | $3,133 | $43,552 |
| #17 | The University of Texas at San Antonio | 68 | $10,836 | $57,131 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of The University of Texas at San Antonio's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 8 in TX.
Best Programs at The University of Texas at San Antonio
The highest-earning program at The University of Texas at San Antonio is Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection at $60,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $20,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection graduate from The University of Texas at San Antonio earns $60,700, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $20,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection graduates carry $26,820 in median debt vs. $23,576 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $10,836/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | $60,700 | $60,700 | $26,820 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $60,200 | $60,200 | $25,125 |
| Civil Engineering | $58,800 | $58,800 | $27,626 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $58,400 | $58,400 | $25,187 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $58,200 | $58,200 | $24,753 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $53,500 | $53,500 | $25,250 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $53,500 | $53,500 | $24,300 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $50,500 | $50,500 | $19,750 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $46,700 | $46,700 | $21,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $43,800 | $43,800 | $21,745 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $43,100 | $43,100 | $24,532 |
| Music | $42,300 | $42,300 | $31,000 |
| Real Estate | $42,100 | $42,100 | $19,499 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $39,200 | $39,200 | $21,593 |
| Mathematics | $38,300 | $38,300 | $26,138 |
| Marketing | $36,600 | $36,600 | $21,500 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $36,100 | $36,100 | $17,750 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,000 | $36,000 | $20,187 |
| Chemistry | $35,200 | $35,200 | $23,119 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $34,000 | $34,000 | $21,375 |
| Architecture | $33,900 | $33,900 | $25,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $33,700 | $33,700 | $21,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $31,300 | $31,300 | $24,678 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $31,200 | $31,200 | $22,926 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,100 | $31,100 | $20,666 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $31,000 | $31,000 | $23,633 |
| Political Science and Government | $30,900 | $30,900 | $21,250 |
| Public Administration | $30,600 | $30,600 | $24,627 |
| Sociology | $30,400 | $30,400 | $24,000 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $30,400 | $30,400 | $21,500 |
| Public Health | $30,100 | $30,100 | $22,726 |
| History | $30,100 | $30,100 | $24,236 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $29,500 | $29,500 | $25,740 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $28,900 | $28,900 | $27,153 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $26,600 | $26,600 | $29,000 |
| Psychology, General | $26,400 | $26,400 | $21,500 |
| Biology, General | $25,700 | $25,700 | $24,488 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $24,100 | $24,100 | $20,750 |
| Anthropology | $22,500 | $22,500 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $20,800 | $20,800 | $23,576 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- San Antonio, TX
- Student Body
- 30,580 students
- Admission Rate
- 87%
- Graduation Rate
- 52%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $10,836
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $57,131
- Median Student Debt
- $20,500