UT Austin vs. TLU

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Texas at Austin in Austin, TX with Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Texas at Austin is larger than TLU based on total student enrollment (53,864 students vs. 1,423 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Texas at Austin is located in Austin, TX (Large City setting); Texas Lutheran University is in Seguin, TX (Distant Town setting).
• The University of Texas at Austin is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Texas at Austin 18:1; Texas Lutheran University 11:1.

UT Austin vs. TLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UT Austin or TLU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The University of Texas at Austin than TLU ($17,942 vs. $25,119).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Lutheran University are 16.7% lower than at The University of Texas at Austin ($12,350 vs. $14,828).
• Texas Lutheran University is 210% more expensive for in-state tuition than UT Austin (about $24,542 more per year; $36,230.00 vs. $11,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24% higher at UT Austin than at Texas Lutheran University (about $8,678 more per year; $44,908.00 vs. $36,230.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Lutheran University than at The University of Texas at Austin (100% vs. 42%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Lutheran University students is 81.7% larger than aid received by The University of Texas at Austin students ($24,861 vs. $13,681).

UT Austin vs. TLU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UT Austin or TLU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between TLU and UT Austin.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Texas at Austin (1380) is 250 points higher than at TLU (1130).
• Incoming UT Austin students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at TLU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Texas at Austin 1250/1510; Texas Lutheran University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Texas at Austin 27/33; Texas Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UT Austin - Required; TLU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UT Austin Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman TLU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at UT Austin (3.8).
• TLU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than UT Austin (26.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.4% at UT Austin vs. 16.8% at TLU.

UT Austin vs. TLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UT Austin and TLU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• The University of Texas at Austin's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Texas Lutheran University's (49%).
• Graduates from The University of Texas at Austin earn a median of about $19,000 more per year than TLU graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,600 vs. $49,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas at Austin graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than TLU graduates ($22,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UT Austin graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TLU graduates ($230 vs. $279).
• More UT Austin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TLU students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 67%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.