Business at UT Austin vs Penn State: Which Degree Is Worth More in 2026?

The Quick Comparison

	The University of Texas at Austin	Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
Type	Public	Public
Location	Austin, TX	University Park, PA
Median Salary	$0/yr	$0/yr
Annual Net Cost	$19,678/yr	$32,598/yr
4-Year Total Cost	$78,712	$130,392
Completion Rate	88%	86%
Value Score	6/100	6/100

Cost Breakdown

The University of Texas at Austin costs $19,678 per year after financial aid, totaling approximately $78,712 over four years. Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus comes in at $32,598 per year, or $130,392 total.

That's a difference of $51,680 over four years. The University of Texas at Austin is the more affordable option.

Earnings After Graduation

Business graduates from The University of Texas at Austin earn a median of $0 per year within one year of graduation. Graduates from Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus earn $0.

Both programs produce graduates with similar earnings. Over a 10-year career, that difference compounds significantly.

The Verdict

Based on the Value Score — which factors in cost, earnings, break-even time, and completion rate — The University of Texas at Austin delivers better overall value for a Business degree.

However, the "right" choice depends on your specific financial situation, career goals, and personal fit. A school that's cheaper but has lower earnings might still be the better choice if you graduate debt-free, and a more expensive school might be worth it if it opens specific career doors in your field.

Use the links below to see the full scorecard for each program, or use the compare tool to add a third school to the mix.