Austin, TX · Public · 42,855 undergraduates · urban

The University of Texas at Austin

Selective

UT Austin is the flagship public university at the center of one of the country’s fastest-growing technology, government, music, and media cities. Its strongest programs attract far more qualified students than they can hold, so admission to the university and admission to a desired major are not the same question. The opportunity is vast; planning the entry route is essential.

Larry D. Moore / CC BY 4.0

Institutional profile

Top tier Strong in academic standing, and strong in mobility.

Academic standing Strong

Affordability Solid

Career outcomes Solid

Mobility Strong

Student experience Steady

Admission: 29.1% admitted
Price by income: Resident and nonresident prices differ
Completion: 85%

What sets UT Austin apart

Major capacity can control the outcome

Several sought-after programs are materially more selective than the university-wide figure.

The state shapes admission policy

Texas residency and class-rank rules create applicant categories not captured by one national rate.

Austin expands term-time work

Technology, government, music, media, and startups are accessible during the semester.

The Texas route

Choose the major before judging the odds

At UT Austin, the correct academic door determines both admission strategy and the eventual opportunity set.

Context

Identify the applicant category

Residency and class rank establish the relevant admission framework.

Major

Assess the receiving program

Capacity, prerequisites, and demand define the practical competition.

City

Use Austin during term

Employers, government, and creative institutions extend study beyond campus.

Can I get in?

29.1% admitted

Texas law, residency, class rank, and major capacity shape admission. Applicants should evaluate the intended college or major directly rather than relying on the university-wide rate.

Recent applicant pool

66,109

About 29 in every 100 applicants were admitted.

Admission rate 29.1%

Entering class

Academic range

SAT middle 50%1230–1490

10601600

ACT middle 50%27–33

2336

Of admitted students, 63% submitted an SAT, and 20% submitted an ACT. Use your score when it adds strength to the application; withhold it when it does not.

Academic benchmarkSelective

In the season card

Where your GPA sits in the entering class

The full entering-class GPA distribution for UT Austin, in nine bands from 4.0 down, with your own record marked on it.

See where I land

In the season card

What UT Austin weighs when it reads a file

See how this college describes the role of grades, testing, essays, recommendations, activities, and demonstrated interest.

Course rigor
GPA
Test scores
Essay
Recommendations
Extracurriculars
Demonstrated interest

See what counts here

What moves the application

The evidence that separates a strong file

Evaluate the major, not only UT

Capacity and prerequisites make program-level admission central at this university.

Understand the Texas rules

Residency and class-rank policy change the applicant’s actual route.

Show preparation for the selected field

Courses and activities should support the intended college or major.

Price Austin housing realistically

Low in-state tuition does not erase rising living costs.

How to apply

Rounds, route, and required materials

UT Austin uses its own state-linked application routes and a fixed deadline structure. Major selection, required materials, residency, and automatic-admission rules must be checked carefully.

Early ActionOct 15

Regular DecisionDec 1

Fee and waiver$75 application fee

Fee waiver: u.s. only

Major and program admission

Some fields have their own entry path.

The college admit rate above covers the university as a whole. These requirements apply only to the named program.

ArchitectureAdmits separately