Admit rate has ranged 65%–87% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. 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 Dallas is a public research university in Richardson, Texas, that has rapidly evolved from a graduate-focused institution into a powerhouse for pragmatic, high-ROI undergraduate education. Its identity is defined by a fiercely STEM-oriented culture—particularly in computer science, engineering, and business—set within a sprawling, modern campus where the social life is largely self-directed and the academic rigor is intense. This is a place for serious students who are more focused on building a resume and landing a high-paying job in the Dallas tech corridor than on traditional collegiate rah-rah.
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
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
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
21,751
In-state tuition
$14,644
Out-of-state tuition
$40,144
Graduation Rate
76%
On-Campus Housing
22%
Most Popular Major
Computer and Information Sciences, General (18%)
Median Earnings (10yr)
$68,227
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$68,227
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.7×
Median debt at graduation
$18,000
Graduation rate
76%
First-year retention
90%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
65%
Pell (lower-income) share
30%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
31%
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer Engineering$74,953
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$69,098
Computer and Information Sciences, General$67,324
Mechanical Engineering$60,125
Physics$57,318
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods$56,415
Applicants here also applied to
The schools that most often appear alongside The University of Texas at Dallas on applicants’ lists, from our self-reported outcomes corpus.
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
90
Summer high
93°F
Winter low
40°F
Annual rain
58.6"
Annual snow
1.8"
Natural-hazard risk
Very 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
532
Scholarly works
48,412
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.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at The University of Texas at Dallas?
The University of Texas at Dallas's acceptance rate is approximately 65% (Richardson, 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 Dallas?
Admitted students at The University of Texas at Dallas typically score 1160–1410 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 Dallas cost?
At The University of Texas at Dallas, the average net price (after aid) is about $18,267 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend The University of Texas at Dallas?
The University of Texas at Dallas enrolls approximately 21,751 undergraduate students.
Where is The University of Texas at Dallas located?
The University of Texas at Dallas is located in Richardson, TX.
Admissions
UT Dallas operates with a moderately selective admissions process, admitting about two-thirds of its applicants. The university is required by Texas law to automatically admit first-time freshmen who graduate in the top 10% of their Texas high school class. For all other applicants, the primary factors considered are academic performance, including high school GPA and the rigor of the coursework, as well as standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) if submitted. The admissions office states that SAT I or ACT scores are considered "if available," indicating a or test-flexible policy. The middle 50% SAT range for admitted students is 1160–1410, and the middle 50% ACT range is 24–32. The university does not offer an Early Decision program, and there is no indication from the that demonstrated interest is a considered factor in admissions decisions. The rate—the percentage of admitted students who enroll—is reported to be 20.3%, which is considered medium.
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.
International Business$55,338
Finance and Financial Management Services$53,687
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 at UT Dallas are described by students as "very rigorous," requiring many hours of dedicated study outside of class. The curriculum is heavily slanted toward professional and technical fields, reflecting the school's origins and its location in a major tech hub. The ten most popular majors for recent graduates are dominated by computer and information sciences (18%), followed by psychology, digital arts, and information technology. The university offers a wide array of degrees, including specialized programs in areas like Animation and Games, Applied Cognition and Neuroscience, and Actuarial Science. The Naveen Jindal School of Management is a central pillar of the university, attracting students with significant work experience (an average of 5.2 years for some programs) and strong GMAT scores. The overall academic environment is backed by faculty who are generally regarded as supportive and accessible, though the workload is consistently high.
Campus life at UT Dallas is often characterized as open-minded but introverted, with a student body that is friendly but often keeps to itself. The social scene is not a dominant feature; students frequently describe needing to be proactive to make friends, countering a common perception that the campus is filled with introverts. Only 22% of students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing, meaning the vast majority (78%) commute from off-campus. This high commuter population significantly impacts the residential and weekend atmosphere. The university does promote a "vibrant, multicultural" environment with active fraternities and sororities that focus on career preparation. Over 50 student clubs and organizations exist, covering academics, culture, politics, and various hobbies, providing structured avenues for connection outside the classroom.
UT Dallas delivers strong outcomes that justify its career-focused reputation. The university's graduation rate surpasses the national average for public universities. Specific data shows a four-year graduation rate of 52.24% and a six-year rate of 71.69%, placing it in the top 25% of institutions nationally. The median earnings for graduates ten years after entry are robust, reflecting the high demand for its STEM and business graduates in the Dallas-Fort Worth job market. The rate of 20.3% further indicates that a significant portion of admitted students choose to enroll, often attracted by the clear return on investment.
As a public university, UT Dallas offers a relatively affordable compared to many private institutions. The average net price after grants and scholarships is reported by the university to be $16,094. External sources cite figures ranging from $13,464 to $18,267. Financial aid packages include federal and state grants, institutional scholarships, and student employment opportunities. The university offers a net price calculator for prospective students to estimate their individual costs. The aid programs include both need-based and non-need-based federal direct loans. There is no indication in the provided sources that UT Dallas has a "no-loan" policy or that it meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students; financial need is a requirement for some loan types but not for others.
UT Dallas stands out as a distinctly modern, outcome-driven university. It lacks the historic traditions and sprawling sports culture of older state flagships, but it has carved a powerful niche as an engine for upward mobility in one of the nation's hottest job markets. Its identity is inextricably linked to the Dallas region's tech and corporate sectors, which shapes its academic priorities and student ambitions. The campus culture is pragmatic and career-focused, attracting students who are less interested in the classic "college experience" and more invested in building tangible skills. This creates an environment of serious, often collaborative, academic intensity, particularly in its signature programs. For a student aiming for a high-paying job in engineering, computer science, or business without the debt or distraction of a more traditional liberal arts college, UT Dallas represents a compelling and highly strategic choice.
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