University of Texas at Austin: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Austin, Texas · Public · Selective · CDS 2024-2025
University of Texas at Austin is a public university in Austin, Texas that admits about 27% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $19,857 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Biology, General, Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication and Psychology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 89% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 3.3 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of Texas at Austin is a public institution located in Austin, Texas with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Texas at Austin admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 27%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1395 and an ACT composite around 30. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $19,857 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What parents should know about University of Texas at Austin right now
Rice University is a small, residential research university in Houston with a strong undergraduate focus. For fall 2024, Rice admitted 2,597 students out of 32,473 applicants for an 8 percent admit rate, enrolled 1,148 freshmen, and reported a middle-50 percent SAT range of 1510 to 1560 and ACT range of 34 to 35. Rice is need-blind for domestic applicants and runs The Rice Investment, one of the most generous public-facing aid programs in the country. Under current policy, families with incomes below $75,000 pay no tuition, fees, or room and board; families between $75,000 and $140,000 pay no tuition; and families between $140,000 and $200,000 receive at least half-tuition grants. Rice budgeted approximately $160 million in grant aid for fiscal 2025, and 82 percent of Rice students graduate debt-free. Rice has an unusual residential college system that guarantees freshman housing plus two additional years and gives each student a built-in faculty and peer community; a new residential college, Chao College, is scheduled to open in fall 2026. The university offers 40 undergraduate degree programs across eight schools, including engineering, music, and architecture, with a $1.09 billion FY2025 operating budget and a $8.07 billion endowment. The Ion innovation district near campus continues to expand career and internship pipelines in Houston's medical and energy sectors.
What GPA does my child need for University of Texas at Austin?
Admitted students at University of Texas at Austin typically present unweighted GPAs in the 3.6–3.9 range with several honors or AP courses.
SAT and ACT scores University of Texas at Austin typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 620–770, with an EBRW midpoint near 675. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 27–33. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.
| 25th percentile | — |
| 50th percentile | 1395 |
| 75th percentile | — |
| % submitting SAT | % |
| 25th percentile | 27 |
| 50th percentile | 30 |
| 75th percentile | 33 |
| % submitting ACT | % |
- • Tests required: Standardized test scores are part of the standard application package.
- • Policy detail: Required
How much does University of Texas at Austin actually cost?
Published tuition is $11,688 for in-state students and $44,908 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $14,828 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $19,857 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 26% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $11,688 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $44,908 |
| Room and board | $14,828 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $19,857 |
| Application fee | $75 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Texas at Austin
| Regular deadline | 12/1 |
| Notification date | February 15 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
Will my child graduate from University of Texas at Austin?
These predict outcomes at University of Texas at Austin better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of Texas at Austin
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Texas at Austin, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Biology, General, Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication and Psychology, General. Across all programs, University of Texas at Austin confers roughly 3,530 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Biology, General program report a median income of about $65,785 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Biology, General | 671 | $65,785 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 506 | $79,337 |
| Psychology, General | 461 | $55,701 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 456 | $132,436 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 407 | $116,432 |
| Mathematics | 358 | $86,814 |
| Economics | 340 | $97,244 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 331 | $73,667 |
Is University of Texas at Austin safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Texas at Austin disclosed 143 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 3.3 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 20 violent offenses and 34 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of Texas at Austin?
About 18% of undergraduates at University of Texas at Austin live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 13% of men join a fraternity and 18% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Texas parents ask about
- Rice University8% acceptance
- Texas A&M University-College Station57% acceptance
- Southern Methodist University63% acceptance
- Baylor University51% acceptance
- Texas Christian University44% acceptance
- University of Houston74% acceptance
- Texas State University89% acceptance
- University of North Texas72% acceptance
Next steps for University of Texas at Austin
Common questions parents ask about University of Texas at Austin
What GPA do I need for University of Texas at Austin?
Admitted students at University of Texas at Austin typically present unweighted GPAs in the 3.6–3.9 range with several honors or AP courses.
What SAT or ACT score does University of Texas at Austin typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 620–770, with an EBRW midpoint near 675. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 27–33.
How much does University of Texas at Austin actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of Texas at Austin after grants and scholarships is $19,857 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $11,688 and $44,908 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of Texas at Austin realistic for my child?
University of Texas at Austin admits 27% of applicants, so 620–770 SAT Math is target range and below 620 is a reach. Then check the $19,857 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Texas at Austin?
University of Texas at Austin accepts about 27% of applicants out of roughly 72,885 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.
Is University of Texas at Austin test-optional?
No. University of Texas at Austin requires SAT or ACT scores as part of a standard application.
What is the graduation rate at University of Texas at Austin?
About 89% of students at University of Texas at Austin graduate within six years. 97% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
Is University of Texas at Austin a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of Texas at Austin is a public institution located in Austin, Texas.
What are the most popular majors at University of Texas at Austin?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of Texas at Austin by annual graduates are Biology, General, Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication and Psychology, General. The school awards about 3,530 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of Texas at Austin safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of Texas at Austin reported 143 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 3.3 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of Texas at Austin?
At University of Texas at Austin, 18% of undergraduates live on campus, 13% of men are in fraternities, 18% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Texas at Austin, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers