Tuition – Master of Arts in Economics

Tuition for the 2024-2025 academic year

Texas residents: $7,500 per long semester (fall or spring), $3,000 per summer semester, $450 per credit
Non-residents (including international students): $10,000 per long semester (fall or spring), $4,000 per summer semester, $600 per credit
These costs cover tuition for the M.A. Program only. The following items are not included:
- Books, supplies, and living expenses
- Health insurance fee (mandatory for international students, optional for others)
- Support service fee for International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)

Degree Track	TX Resident	Non-Resident
10-Month	$31,500	$42,000
18-Month	$39,000	$52,000
24-Month	$46,500	$62,000

These totals are based on enrollment in 30 credit hours over the course of the program. This is the minimum number of credits required for the degree. However, some students – particularly those on the 24-month track – will enroll in more than 30 credit hours. For example, international students on F1/J1 visas must be enrolled “full-time” for a minimum of 9 credit hours each long semester, which increases the number of courses a student would take.

Merit-based tuition reduction awards

The MA program awards merit-based tuition reduction assistance to exceptional applicants at the time of admission. All applicants are considered for merit-based tuition reduction awards during the application review process, no separate application is necessary.

Financial aid

Students are not eligible for University financial aid but may be eligible for federal student loans through the Office of Financial Aid (OFA). Detailed financial aid application instructions are available on OFA’s website.

To apply for loans, students will need the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Title IV School Code for The University of Texas at Austin is 003658. Because the M.A. Economics program year begins in the summer, financial aid applicants should submit a FASFA for both the current and the subsequent academic year (example: a student entering in Summer 2025 should submit both a 24-25 and a 25-26 FASFA application). Though applicants can submit a FASFA anytime through May, please note the OFA’s January 15 priority FASFA application submission deadline.

International students are not likely to qualify for federal student loans and, should therefore be prepared to use personal or private loan funds for tuition and fees (including health insurance fees and ISSS student support fees).

Assistantship positions and outside employment

MA Economics students are ineligible for and thus not allowed to accept University research assistantships (RA), teaching assistantships (TA), or any other University Academic Employment appointments, either in or outside of the Department of Economics, while enrolled in the MA Economics program at The University of Texas at Austin. Additionally, due to the program’s intensive coursework, outside employment is not recommended during a student’s first summer semester in the program or if the student is pursuing the accelerated 10-month track.

GI Bill® education benefit education eligibility

The MA Economics program is eligible for use with GI Bill® education benefits. To learn more about how veteran benefits may support enrollment in the MA Economics program you can access The University of Texas at Austin Catalog or contact the university’s Veteran Certification team. Please note that because the MA Economics program is a non-formula-funded program, it is ineligible for Texas Hazelwood Act Exemptions (the Hazlewood Act may not be used to pay for MA program tuition expenses).

Cost of living comparison

It is less expensive to live in Austin, Texas than in other U.S. cities with top graduate programs. Take a look at our cost of living comparison for more information. UT Austin’s Office of Financial Aid also provides general estimates for the cost of attendance (excluding tuition) including room and board, transportation, and books.