University of Texas at Dallas: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Richardson, Texas · Public · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
65%
31,789 applicants
Median SAT
1280
Mid 50: 1170–1390
In-state tuition
$14,644
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$18,267
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

University of Texas at Dallas is a public university in Richardson, Texas that admits about 65% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $18,267 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Computer and Information Sciences, General, Biology, General and Visual and Performing Arts, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 76% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 1.1 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

University of Texas at Dallas is a public institution located in Richardson, Texas with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Texas at Dallas admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 65%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT around 1280. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $18,267 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for University of Texas at Dallas?

University of Texas at Dallas admits students with a wide GPA range, but most successful applicants present an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with a college-prep curriculum.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Texas at Dallas.

What does University of Texas at Dallas weight in admissions?

University of Texas at Dallas reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean

Very Important2 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA
Important7 factors
  • Standardized test scores
  • Application essay
  • Recommendations
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Character/personal qualities
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience

SAT and ACT scores University of Texas at Dallas typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 580–720, with an EBRW midpoint near —. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 24–32. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1170
50th percentile1280
75th percentile1390
% submitting SAT78%
ACT Composite
25th percentile24
50th percentile28
75th percentile32
% submitting ACT13%
Current testing policy
  • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Considered if submitted

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

Top 10% of class39.95%
Top 25% of class69.93%
Top 50% of class94.49%
% submitting class rank56.67%

How much does University of Texas at Dallas actually cost?

Published tuition is $14,644 for in-state students and $40,144 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $14,430 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $18,267 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 30% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$10,639
Out-of-state tuition$36,139
Room and board$15,125
Average net price (after aid)$18,267
Application fee$50 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Texas at Dallas

Regular admission
Regular deadline5/1
Notification dateRolling
Reply deadlineby registration
Rolling admissionsYes

Will my child graduate from University of Texas at Dallas?

These predict outcomes at University of Texas at Dallas better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
89.95%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
59.49%
finished on time
6-year graduation
75.69%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at University of Texas at Dallas

The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Texas at Dallas, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Computer and Information Sciences, General, Biology, General and Visual and Performing Arts, General. Across all programs, University of Texas at Dallas confers roughly 2,957 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Computer and Information Sciences, General program report a median income of about $104,815 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Computer and Information Sciences, General988$104,815
Biology, General347$66,026
Visual and Performing Arts, General332$47,167
Psychology, General320$55,406
Finance and Financial Management Services265$81,869
Neurobiology and Neurosciences257$59,090
Mechanical Engineering231$86,469
Accounting and Related Services217$75,130
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is University of Texas at Dallas safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Texas at Dallas disclosed 25 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 1.1 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 2 violent offenses and 2 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
25
1.1 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
2
0.09 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
2
0.09 per 1,000
Burglary
4
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 21,751 enrolled.

What is campus life like at University of Texas at Dallas?

About 22% of undergraduates at University of Texas at Dallas live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 1% of men join a fraternity and 1% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
22%
of undergraduates
In fraternities
1%
of men
In sororities
1%
of women
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Texas at Dallas.

Other colleges in Texas parents ask about

Next steps for University of Texas at Dallas

Common questions parents ask about University of Texas at Dallas

What GPA do I need for University of Texas at Dallas?

University of Texas at Dallas admits students with a wide GPA range, but most successful applicants present an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with a college-prep curriculum.

What SAT or ACT score does University of Texas at Dallas typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 580–720, with an EBRW midpoint near —. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 24–32.

How much does University of Texas at Dallas actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at University of Texas at Dallas after grants and scholarships is $18,267 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $14,644 and $40,144 out of state. Budget against the net figure.

Is University of Texas at Dallas realistic for my child?

University of Texas at Dallas admits 65% of applicants, so 580–720 SAT Math is target range and below 580 is a reach. Then check the $18,267 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at University of Texas at Dallas?

University of Texas at Dallas accepts about 65% of applicants out of roughly 31,789 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.

Is University of Texas at Dallas test-optional?

Yes. University of Texas at Dallas is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.

What is the graduation rate at University of Texas at Dallas?

About 76% of students at University of Texas at Dallas graduate within six years, and 59% finish in four years. 90% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

What does University of Texas at Dallas look for in applicants?

University of Texas at Dallas rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is University of Texas at Dallas a public or private school, and where is it located?

University of Texas at Dallas is a public institution located in Richardson, Texas.

What are the most popular majors at University of Texas at Dallas?

The largest undergraduate majors at University of Texas at Dallas by annual graduates are Computer and Information Sciences, General, Biology, General and Visual and Performing Arts, General. The school awards about 2,957 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is University of Texas at Dallas safe? What is its campus crime rate?

University of Texas at Dallas reported 25 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 1.1 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 Dallas?

At University of Texas at Dallas, 22% of undergraduates live on campus, 1% of men are in fraternities, 1% 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 Dallas, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers