Top Public · Austin, Texas

University of Texas at Austin

Selective. 26.6% acceptance rate.

Calculate your UT Austin odds

How hard is it to get into UT Austin?

UT Austin is selective, with a 26.6% acceptance rate. Admitted students typically score 1250–1510 on the SAT and 27–33 on the ACT. The application is read holistically, so essays, recommendations, activities, and demographic context all factor into the decision alongside test scores and GPA.

Quick Facts

Acceptance rate26.6%
SAT (mid-50%)1250–1510
ACT (mid-50%)27–33
Cost of attendance$31,247
Average net price (after aid)$19,857
Undergraduate enrollment42,855
6-year graduation rate88.9%
Median earnings (10 yrs after entry)$75,121
TypePublic · Top Public
SettingLarge urban

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Last verified May 2026.

Getting In

UT Austin's 26.6% acceptance rate puts it in the selective tier. The mid-50% SAT range of 12501510 means a quarter of admitted students scored above 1510, and a quarter scored below 1250. Scores in that range don't guarantee admission. Scores outside it don't rule it out. The application is read holistically.

That number doesn't tell you your odds. A 1550 SAT and a 4.0 GPA put you in the academic conversation. They don't put you in the admit pile. Your actual probability depends on your full profile: coursework rigor, activities, recommendations, demographic context, and what your essays accomplish. The pool average is a starting point, not a forecast.

Personalized estimate

What are your actual odds at UT Austin?

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UT Austin Test Score Profile

Admitted students score in the following ranges across SAT sections:

SAT Reading

630–740

25th–75th percentile

SAT Math

620–770

25th–75th percentile

Strong applicants tend to score above the 75th percentile in their stronger section and at or above the 25th percentile in their weaker one. Both numbers are descriptive, not prescriptive. Plenty of admitted students score below the 25th percentile in one section, especially with strong context elsewhere.

Beyond the Numbers

UT Austin is best known for the McCombs School of Business, Cockrell Engineering, Plan II, and Austin's tech scene. Admissions readers are looking for applicants whose specific interests and ways of working would actually thrive in that environment. Not generic “passion.” Concrete curiosity that already shows up in what you do.

Class Profile

The undergraduate population at UT Austin breaks down as follows according to federal IPEDS data:

Women
58%
Men
42%
International
4%

Race & ethnicity

White
30%
Asian
26%
Hispanic
28%
Black
5%
Two or more races
4%
American Indian / Alaska Native
0%

These percentages reflect the enrolled student body, not the applicant pool. Admit rates by demographic differ from the headline rate, and the school's composition is the result of its full holistic review process.

Cost & Financial Aid

The published cost of attendance at UT Austin is $31,247 per year before aid. After grants and scholarships, the average student pays $19,857per year. The sticker price isn't the number that matters for most families.

Net price by family income

What the average student actually pays per year, after grants:

Family income $0–30K$12,553
Family income $30K–48K$14,297
Family income $48K–75K$17,207
Family income $75K–110K$24,406
Family income $110K+$30,082

Highly selective private universities tend to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need, often without loans, for families below specific income thresholds. The number that matters for your family is your net price, which can be estimated using the school's own net price calculator before applying.

Outcomes

Federal data on what happens after enrollment at UT Austin:

Graduation rate

88.9%

6-year (federal IPEDS)

Median earnings

$75,121

10 yrs after entry

Median debt

$20,500

Among completers

25.9% of students receive a Pell Grant (federal need-based aid), and 27.3%take federal loans. These rates are useful proxies for the school's socioeconomic mix and how much most families end up borrowing.

UT Austin essay tools

Score, brainstorm, or revise UT Austin essays with tools tuned to UT Austin's prompts.

UT Austin vs. Peer Schools

Side-by-side comparison with similar Top Public schools applicants typically consider.

SchoolAcceptSAT mid-50Net price
UT Austin This page26.6%1250–1510$19,857
UC Berkeley11.0%$13,481
UCLA9.0%$12,548
UC San Diego26.7%$12,470
Michigan15.6%1360–1530$13,138
UNC15.3%1390–1530$11,655

FAQ

How hard is it to get into UT Austin?

UT Austin is selective. The most recently published acceptance rate is 26.6%. Admitted students score in the 1250–1510 SAT range. Test scores are necessary but not sufficient. Holistic review weighs essays, activities, recommendations, and demographic context.

What SAT score do I need for UT Austin?

Admitted students at UT Austin typically score between 1250 and 1510 on the SAT. A quarter of admits scored above 1510, and a quarter scored below 1250. Scores in this range are competitive but do not guarantee admission.

How much does UT Austin cost?

The published cost of attendance at UT Austin is $31,247 per year before financial aid. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $19,857. Most highly selective schools meet 100% of demonstrated need for families below specific income thresholds.

What is the graduation rate at UT Austin?

88.9% of students at UT Austin graduate within 6 years (the standard federal graduation rate metric).

Sources

All numerical data on this page is sourced from official, primary sources. Admissions stats reflect the most recent publicly published cycle. Verify current figures with UT Austin's admissions office before applying.

Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect UT Austin's most recent publicly published admit cycle.