Admit rate has ranged 29%–32% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
The University of Texas at Austin is a powerhouse public university where burnt-orange pride meets top-tier academics—especially in computer science and engineering—against the backdrop of Austin's vibrant music and outdoor scene. With a 27% acceptance rate, UT Austin balances selectivity with scale, offering 170+ majors across 13 colleges, a spirited campus life with 1,000+ student organizations, and strong outcomes (88% graduation rate). But its appeal comes with challenges: crushing housing costs and fierce competition for top programs.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Grade point average
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Demonstrated competencies
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
42,855
In-state tuition
$11,688
Out-of-state tuition
$44,908
Acceptance Rate
26.6% (10% out-of-state)
On-Campus Housing
18% of students
Undergraduate Majors
170+
Student-Faculty Ratio
18:1
4-Year Graduation Rate
74%
6-Year Graduation Rate
89%
Students Receiving Aid
44.26%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$75,121
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.8×
Median debt at graduation
$20,500
Graduation rate
89%
First-year retention
97%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
77%
Pell (lower-income) share
57%
First-generation share
28%
Endowment / student
$144,143
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Petroleum Engineering$88,723
Chemical Engineering$82,830
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$80,550
Computer and Information Sciences, General$79,558
Business/Commerce, General$76,460
Management Information Systems and Services
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
24
Per 1,000 students
0.56
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
98
Summer high
95°F
Winter low
44°F
Annual rain
47.6"
Annual snow
1.5"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
1,195
Scholarly works
354,268
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Future-scholar output
Science & engineering PhDstop 9 nationally
Humanities & social-science PhDstop 3 nationally
Share of this school’s graduates who go on to earn research doctorates (2010–20), by national rank and per-capita yield (NSF institutional-yield ratio). A signal of a research-oriented student culture — not a causal promise, since it partly reflects who enrolls. Only top producers appear. Source: NSF NCSES, Baccalaureate Origins of U.S. Research Doctorate Recipients.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at The University of Texas at Austin?
The University of Texas at Austin's acceptance rate is approximately 27% (Austin, TX), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for The University of Texas at Austin?
Admitted students at The University of Texas at Austin typically score 1250–1510 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does The University of Texas at Austin cost?
At The University of Texas at Austin, the average net price (after aid) is about $19,857 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend The University of Texas at Austin?
The University of Texas at Austin enrolls approximately 42,855 undergraduate students.
Where is The University of Texas at Austin located?
The University of Texas at Austin is located in Austin, TX.
Admissions
UT Austin's admissions process is highly competitive, with a 26.6% acceptance rate (fall 2026), though this drops to 10% for out-of-state applicants. The middle 50% SAT range is 1230–1480, and the ACT range is 27–33, with automatic admission for Texas students in the top 6% of their high school class. Test scores are required (SAT/ACT), but not SAT Subject Tests. The university received 72,885 applications for fall 2026, admitting 19,417. Notably, the transfer acceptance rate is 22.5%, offering a secondary pathway for students.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$75,652
Mechanical Engineering$71,959
Finance and Financial Management Services$70,680
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Academics
UT Austin offers 170+ undergraduate majors across 13 colleges and schools, with standout programs in computer science (described as 'god tier' by students), engineering, and business. The student-faculty ratio is 18:1, and 36.8% of classes have fewer than 20 students. The university boasts strong graduation rates: 74% graduate in 4 years, 87% in 5 years, and 89% in 6 years. The Princeton Review gives UT Austin an academic rating of 79/99, praising its 'top-ranked programs' and 'diverse community.' The sheer scale of academic offerings—from Latin American studies to petroleum engineering—means students can tailor their education precisely.
Life at UT Austin revolves around 1,000+ student organizations, 15 residence halls, and a vibrant campus spirit fueled by traditions like football games and the iconic Tower lighting. Only 18% of students live on campus, with most opting for off-campus housing—though Austin's rent is 'crushingly high', often exceeding tuition costs. The city itself is a draw: students hike at Barton Springs, kayak on Lady Bird Lake, and dive into Austin's legendary live-music scene. However, the party culture has drawn criticism for incidents of 'cultural insensitivity' and harassment. Sports are a unifying force, with Longhorn pride permeating everything from tailgates to academic buildings.
UT Austin delivers strong outcomes: an 88% overall graduation rate (top 5% nationally), with 69.8% graduating in 4 years (a record high as of 2018). The seekUT tool tracks alumni earnings, though only 57% of graduates appear in Texas wage databases (below the state average of 70%). Data suggests degrees pay off, especially in STEM fields—computer science graduates, for example, report median earnings well above national averages. The university's vast alumni network and strong industry ties in tech, energy, and finance help graduates land jobs, though humanities majors may face tougher ROI calculations.
UT Austin's net price after aid is $16,589 for many students, with 44.26% receiving financial aid. The university provides a Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. Calculator to estimate costs, accounting for scholarships, grants (average package not specified in sources), and work-study. In-state tuition is a relative bargain compared to private peers, but off-campus housing costs often surpass tuition, straining budgets. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board offers additional tools to project expenses, though students frequently cite affordability as a growing challenge amid Austin's booming real estate market.
UT Austin combines elite academics (especially in CS and engineering) with the energy of a quintessential college town—Austin's music, tacos, and outdoor scene are woven into campus life. Its scale is staggering: 170+ majors, 1,000+ clubs, and a alumni network that spans the globe. Yet this size brings trade-offs: cutthroat competition for top programs, a housing crisis, and bureaucratic hurdles. For students who thrive in a high-energy, entrepreneurial environment—and can navigate the chaos—UT offers a world-class education at a public-school price (for Texans). It's a university where you can attend a Nobel laureate's lecture by day and a Willie Nelson concert by night.
The University of Texas at Austin logo · sourceUniversity of Texas at Austin · sourceThe University of Texas--Austin - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges · sourceTake a Tour of the University of Texas at Austin | UT Austin · source
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