ULM vs. UT Austin

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Texas at Austin is larger than ULM based on total student enrollment (53,864 students vs. 8,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ULM vs. UT Austin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ULM or UT Austin? 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 University of Louisiana at Monroe than UT Austin ($13,648 vs. $17,942).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisiana at Monroe are 28.8% lower than at The University of Texas at Austin ($10,554 vs. $14,828).
• The University of Texas at Austin is 27.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ULM (about $2,498 more per year; $11,688.00 vs. $9,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 110.9% higher at UT Austin than at University of Louisiana at Monroe (about $23,618 more per year; $44,908.00 vs. $21,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisiana at Monroe than at The University of Texas at Austin (95% vs. 42%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Texas at Austin students is 2.6% larger than aid received by University of Louisiana at Monroe students ($13,681 vs. $13,338).

ULM vs. UT Austin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Texas at Austin (1380) is 120 points higher than at ULM (1260).
• Incoming UT Austin students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 21 at ULM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Monroe 1160/1360; The University of Texas at Austin 1250/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Monroe 18/24; The University of Texas at Austin 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ULM - Test optional; UT Austin - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UT Austin Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UT Austin students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at ULM (3.53).
• ULM has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than UT Austin (26.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.1% at ULM vs. 47.4% at UT Austin.

ULM vs. UT Austin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ULM and UT Austin? 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 University of Louisiana at Monroe's (33%).
• Graduates from The University of Texas at Austin earn a median of about $22,800 more per year than ULM graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,600 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisiana at Monroe graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than UT Austin graduates ($20,000 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, ULM graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UT Austin graduates ($206 vs. $230).
• More UT Austin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ULM students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 49%)

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.