Head-to-head comparison
Florida State University vs. The University of Texas at Austin
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs FSU or UT Austin harder to get into?
FSU is harder to get into than UT Austin. FSU's 24.2% acceptance rate is lower than UT Austin's 26.6%.
Which is cheaper, FSU or UT Austin?
FSU costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, FSU's average net price is $11,297 vs $19,857 at UT Austin.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
UT Austin graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $61,675 at FSU and $75,121 at UT Austin.
Full Comparison
| Metric | FSU | UT Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 24.2% | 26.6% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1270–1410 | 1250–1510 |
| ACT mid-50% | 29–32 | 27–33 |
| Cost of attendance | $25,720 | $31,247 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $11,297 | $19,857 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 32,212 | 42,855 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 85.6% | 88.9% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $61,675 | $75,121 |
| Setting | Tallahassee, FL | Austin, TX |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
FSU is modestly harder to get into. The 2.4-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
UT Austin draws stronger test scores. Mid-50% SAT range tops out at 1510 vs 1410 at the other school. Differences in test profile usually reflect a school's STEM-vs-humanities mix and the self-selection of applicants, not raw academic quality.
FSU is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $8,560 per year, $34,240 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
UT Austin graduates earn $13,446 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. FSU grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. FSU is in Tallahassee, FL; UT Austin is in Austin, TX. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. FSU is 56.1% women, 1.9% international, and 3.8% Asian-American. UT Austin is 57.8% women, 4.4% international, and 25.7% Asian-American.
| Demographic | FSU | UT Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 56.1% | 57.8% |
| International | 1.9% | 4.4% |
| White | 57.6% | 30.4% |
| Asian | 3.8% | 25.7% |
| Hispanic | 23.5% | 28.3% |
| Black | 7.2% | 4.6% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at FSU vs. UT Austin?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick FSU if
- Net price matters: FSU costs $8,560 less per year on average
- a Tallahassee campus
Pick UT Austin if
- Your odds are realistic at UT Austin (slightly easier admit)
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($75,121 vs $61,675)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the McCombs School of Business
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Florida State University
24.2% accept · Tallahassee, FL
Full profile
The University of Texas at Austin
26.6% accept · Austin, TX
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.