UT Austin vs Texas A&M: Engineering Compared 2026
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
May 7, 2026
Side-by-side comparison of UT Austin and Texas A&M engineering programs with real earnings, tuition, and admission data.
These two Texas flagships are both top-tier engineering schools. But they differ significantly in culture, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. Here's the data.
UT Austin vs Texas A&M: Which Is Better for Engineering?
These two Texas flagships are both top-tier engineering schools. But they differ significantly in culture, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. Here's the data.
Head-to-Head Overview
| Factor | UT Austin | Texas A&M |
|---|---|---|
| In-State Tuition | $11,678 | $13,099 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $42,778 | $40,328 |
| Admission Rate | 29.1% | 63.3% |
| 6-Year Graduation Rate | 87.7% | 83.7% |
| SAT Average | 1380 | 1272 |
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $60,896 | $59,386 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $75,121 | $72,097 |
| Net Price (under $30K) | $12,972 | $12,273 |
Engineering Program Earnings: Head-to-Head
| Engineering Major | UT Austin | Texas A&M | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petroleum Engineering | $99,721 | $105,826 | A&M |
| Chemical Engineering | $89,285 | $95,309 | A&M |
| Electrical Engineering | $92,064 | $86,103 | UT |
| Computer Engineering | — | $91,029 | A&M |
| Mechanical Engineering | $81,769 | $81,055 | Tie |
| Aerospace Engineering | $73,844 | $75,941 | A&M |
| Civil Engineering | $70,244 | $72,860 | A&M |
| Biomedical Engineering | $81,988 | $76,590 | UT |
When to Choose UT Austin
Pick UT if you want:
- Electrical/biomedical engineering (higher earnings)
- Austin's tech industry ecosystem (Apple, Google, Tesla, Samsung)
- A more selective, competitive environment
- Urban campus with immediate access to internships
- Slightly higher overall graduate earnings
UT Austin's Cockrell School of Engineering is ranked in the top 10 nationally. The Austin tech boom means students land internships without leaving the city.
Not sure which path is right? Compare colleges and trade schools near you with real salary data.
Try the Calculator →When to Choose Texas A&M
Pick A&M if you want:
- Petroleum, chemical, or aerospace engineering (higher earnings)
- The largest engineering school in the country by enrollment
- A tight-knit community with strong alumni network
- More accessible admission (63.3% vs 29.1%)
- Oil & gas industry connections
- Slightly lower net price for low-income families ($12,273 vs $12,972)
Texas A&M's College of Engineering graduates the most engineers of any school in the U.S. The Aggie Network is legendary for helping graduates land jobs.
Computer Science Comparison
If you're choosing between CS programs specifically:
| Metric | UT Austin CS | Texas A&M CS |
|---|---|---|
| BS Median Earnings | $97,550 | $87,126 |
| MS Median Earnings | — | $121,728 |
UT Austin wins decisively for CS undergraduate outcomes — a $10,000+ earnings gap. But A&M's Master's program delivers $121K median earnings.
Cost Breakdown (4 Years In-State)
| Cost Component | UT Austin | Texas A&M |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (4yr) | $46,712 | $52,396 |
| Room & Board (4yr) | $59,360 | $47,120 |
| Books (4yr) | $2,896 | $3,600 |
| Total Estimated | $108,968 | $103,116 |
Texas A&M is about $5,800 cheaper over four years, primarily due to lower room and board costs in College Station vs. Austin.
The Transfer Option
Can't decide? Start at a Texas community college and use the TCCN system to transfer. Both schools accept community college transfers into engineering, though UT is more competitive.
Verdict
Choose UT Austin if you're targeting electrical engineering, CS, or biomedical engineering and want an urban tech hub.
Choose Texas A&M if you're targeting petroleum, chemical, or aerospace engineering, want an easier path to admission, or value the Aggie alumni network.
Both are excellent choices — you can't go wrong with either for engineering in Texas.
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect median salary of graduates working and not enrolled.