UT Austin vs. UT Dallas

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Texas at Austin is larger than UT Dallas based on total student enrollment (53,864 students vs. 29,886 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Texas at Austin is located in Austin, TX (Large City setting); The University of Texas at Dallas is in Richardson, TX (Small City setting).
• The University of Texas at Austin is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at Dallas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Texas at Austin 18:1; The University of Texas at Dallas 23:1.

UT Austin vs. UT Dallas Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UT Austin or UT Dallas? 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 Dallas than UT Austin ($14,916 vs. $17,942).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at Dallas are 2.7% lower than at The University of Texas at Austin ($14,430 vs. $14,828).
• The University of Texas at Dallas is 25.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UT Austin (about $2,956 more per year; $14,644.00 vs. $11,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.9% higher at UT Austin than at The University of Texas at Dallas (about $4,764 more per year; $44,908.00 vs. $40,144.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Texas at Dallas than at The University of Texas at Austin (64% vs. 42%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Texas at Dallas students is 9% larger than aid received by The University of Texas at Austin students ($14,909 vs. $13,681).

UT Austin vs. UT Dallas Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UT Austin or UT Dallas? 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 UT Dallas and UT Austin.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Texas at Austin (1380) is 90 points higher than at UT Dallas (1290).
• Incoming UT Austin students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at UT Dallas).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Texas at Austin 1250/1510; The University of Texas at Dallas 1160/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Texas at Austin 27/33; The University of Texas at Dallas 24/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UT Austin - Required; UT Dallas - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UT Austin Dec 1, 2026; UT Dallas May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UT Austin students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at UT Dallas (3.78).
• UT Dallas has a higher acceptance rate (65.1%) than UT Austin (26.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.4% at UT Austin vs. 20.3% at UT Dallas.

UT Austin vs. UT Dallas Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UT Austin and UT Dallas? 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 The University of Texas at Dallas's (61%).
• Graduates from The University of Texas at Austin earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than UT Dallas graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,600 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas at Dallas graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than UT Austin graduates ($18,750 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, UT Dallas graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UT Austin graduates ($193 vs. $230).
• More UT Austin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UT Dallas students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 64%)

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.