Tuition and fees for the 2023-2024 academic year
- Texas residents: $7,500 per long semester (fall or spring), $3,000 per summer semester, $450 per credit
- Non-residents: $10,000 per long semester (fall or spring), $4,000 per summer semester, $600 per credit
- These costs cover tuition and fees only. The following items are not included:
- Books, supplies, and additional living expenses
- Health insurance fee (mandatory for international students, optional for others)
- Support service fee for International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS)
| *Though the MA degree only requires 30 credit hours, tuition for the 24-month track is calculated on the basis of 36 credit hours. Because international students and students on federal financial aid must be enrolled full-time in a minimum of 9 credit hours in fall and spring semesters, this increases the number of courses required for most 24-month students. | |||
| Tuition Totals for the 2023-2024 academic year | |||
| Degree Track | TX Resident | Non-Resident | |
| 10-Month | $31,500 | $42,000 | |
| 18-Month | $39,000 | $52,000 | |
| 24-Month* | $49,200* | $65,600* | |
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 2023 should submit both a 22-23 and a 23-24 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 for students enrolled in the 10-month track.
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.