Is the University of Texas at Austin a Good School?
So, you heard that the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) is a Public Ivy. And now you might be wondering if it’s the perfect fit for someone who is on the hunt for an Ivy League-like education that’s more accessible.
The University of Texas at Austin is good for students who are interested in research and disciplines such as business, engineering and the arts. It’s also suited for those who like to attend a selective institution well-known for its academics and programs as well as for being a top party school.
Here’s a UT Austin fact that will surely keep your eyes peeled: Legend has it that you will ace an exam if you happen to spot an albino squirrel on your way to take it!
Not really into superstitions and still thinking about applying to the University of Texas at Austin? Then here are some quick stats that could help persuade you even more to put the school at the top of your college list:
- Location: Austin, Texas
- Founding date: 1883
- Motto: Disciplina praesidium civitatis (Cultivated mind is the guardian genius of democracy)
- Campus size: 431 acres
- Campus type: Urban
- School type: Liberal public research university
- Reputation: Party school
- Selectivity level: Selective
- Number of majors: Over 170
- Popular majors: Biology, Business, Communication, Economics, Engineering, Psychology, Social Sciences
- Student body: 50,476 (as per Common Data Set 2020 to 2021)
- Students per class: 10 to 19 in most classes
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 18:1
- Retention rate: 97%
- Graduation rate: 80%
- Athletic affiliation: NCAA Division I
- Color: Burnt orange and white
- Mascot: Bevo
- Number of varsity teams: 18
- Sports: Baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, rowing, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball
UT Austin Rankings
Besides being the flagship school of the University of Texas System, the University of Texas at Austin is also one of the best in Texas. For one, it’s #1 in Top Public Universities in Texas by Niche and #1 in Best Public Colleges in Texas by College Simply. UT Austin also ranks highly nationally.
In the country, at least according to US News, the University of Texas at Austin is #38 in National Universities. The popular college ranking site also ranks the school #10 in Top Public Schools.
Meanwhile, Forbes ranks it #15 in Public Colleges and #37 in Research Universities. And, in 2022, the school is #67 in the QS World University Rankings, climbing from #71 in 2021.
National rankings are not only where UT Austin shines brightly but statewide or local ones, too.
The following are the various rankings of the University of Texas at Austin by various college rankers in comparison with institutions for higher education in Texas and the South:
- #1 in Best Big Colleges in Texas (Niche)
- #1 in Top Universities in Texas (UniRank)
- #2 in Best Colleges in Texas (Best Colleges)
- #2 in Best Colleges in Texas (College Factual)
- #5 in Best Colleges in Texas (College Simply)
- #9 in the South (Forbes)
- #15 in the 20 Best Colleges in the South (College Vine)
What is the University of Texas at Austin Known For?
The University of Texas at Austin is known for being a party school and at the same time a selective flagship institution offering highly ranked academic programs, including most especially those in the arts, business and STEM fields. UT Austin is also considered both a Public Ivy and Southern Ivy.
With a 431-acre campus with an urban setting, there is no denying that the University of Texas at Austin tends to attract college students who thrive so much better in a fairly large city.
Because Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World, you have easy access to entertainment each time you wish to distance yourself from your textbooks. The capital city of Texas where UT Austin is located is also teeming with restaurants, bars, STEM museums, gardens, historic structures and outdoor adventures.
Some of the major cities nearest the University of Texas at Austin campus include:
- San Antonio
- Houston
- Dallas
- Plano
- Baton Rouge
- Oklahoma
- Little Rock
- New Orleans
Various studies reveal that Austin is one of the safest cities in the US. For instance, it’s the 9th safest largest city, according to MoneyGeek. Meanwhile, Austin is the 11th safest city in the US, based on FBI data.
Some colleges and universities are popular for certain academic programs. At the University of Texas at Austin, some of the programs that tend to attract more undergraduate students and high rankings, too, include:
- Accounting
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Business
- Communication
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Finance
- Humanities
- Information Science
- Political Science
- Psychology
Besides being a party school and having a great Greek life, UT Austin is also known for its athletics. As a matter of fact, to date, the school has a total of three NCAA championships.
Is UT Austin a Party School?
The University of Texas at Austin is a party school. As a matter of fact, it’s one of the most well-known party schools not only in Texas but also in the US. However, it doesn’t mean that UT Austin is all about parties. Proof of this is the fact that many of its academic programs are highly ranked.
Many college-bound kids who are focused on earning a degree solely (and their parents, too) tend to steer clear of party schools thinking that all the noise and hangovers could keep them from having their eyes on the prize.
But getting a good education is still very much possible at a party school.
Case in point: the University of Texas at Austin. Despite being the #1 in Top Party Schools in Texas and #18 in Top Party Schools in America by Niche, it’s still a high ranker in terms of academics and programs.
What’s more, ten years after attending UT Austin for the first time, graduates tend to make 100% higher than what’s considered the national median annual salary across all professions — $68,600 vs. $34,300. In a few, we will discuss how much money alumni members make per year according to major, so don’t stop reading now!
A Niche poll shows that 52% of participating students say there are lots of party options from Wednesday to Saturday. On the other hand, 20% say there are lots of raging parties at just about any given night of the week.
With more than 70 fraternities and sororities at UT Austin, the figures aren’t shocking.
By the way, refrain from assuming that parties on and off the campus are the only options available for students who wish to unwind. At the University of Texas at Austin, there are more than 1,100 student clubs and organizations available. Needless to say, not having a group of people to belong to should be the least of your concerns.
Schools are Similar to the University of Texas at Austin
The majority of the schools the University of Texas at Austin is often compared with are public institutions that are the flagships of either a university system or a state. Some examples of those similar to UT Austin are Ohio State University, Texas A&M University, the University of Florida and UCLA.
Firmly believe that a University of Texas at Austin experience is what you need after high school?
Then you will be more than happy to know that there are many colleges and universities similar to the Austin, Texas-based school you can add to your college list.
Here are some of those you might want to consider applying to if UT Austin is your top-choice institution:
- Ohio State University. According to Niche, Ohio State University is #1 in Top Public Universities in Ohio. It’s also one of the top party schools not only in the state but also in the US.
- Purdue University – West Lafayette. The flagship of the Purdue University System, Purdue University – West Lafayette offers high-ranking traditional and online academic programs.
- Texas A&M University – College Station. As of this writing, Texas A&M University – College Station has the largest student body in the US. It has a 58% acceptance rate and a 79% graduation rate.
- Texas Christian University. Affiliated with the Christian Church, Texas Christian University offers highly ranked majors such as Business, Communications, Finance and Nursing.
- Texas Tech University. The campus located in Lubbock, Texas is the main campus of the Texas Tech University System, which consists of five institutions. It’s also the oldest and largest campus.
- University of California – Los Angeles. What’s so special about UCLA is that it’s the only premier research university in the US that was established in the 20th century. It was founded in 1919.
- University of Florida. The senior member of the State University System of Florida, the University of Florida is ranked #5 in Top Public Schools and #28 in National Universities by US News.
- University of Houston. Besides being the flagship school of the University of Houston System, the University of Houston is also the third-largest institution in the state of Texas, with 47,090 students.
- University of Michigan. The University of Michigan is the oldest institution in Michigan. As a matter of fact, it was founded 20 years before Michigan even became a state.
Acceptance Rate at the University of Texas at Austin
Just almost one-third of all applicants at the University of Texas at Austin end up receiving an acceptance letter. Its low acceptance rate makes the school selective. As a matter of fact, UT Austin is one of the colleges and universities in the state of Texas with the lowest acceptance rates.
Because the University of Texas at Austin is a highly ranked school, it isn’t surprising why many graduating high school students dream of earning a degree from it.
Unfortunately for the majority of them, they would wind up going to another college or university.
It’s for the fact that UT Austin has a low acceptance rate of 32%. In order to gain admission into it, you will have to be an above-average student, the kind who’s near the top of your high school class. Otherwise, the institution would be more suited as a dream school instead of a match or safety one.
The following are colleges and universities in Texas with the lowest acceptance rates:
NAME | LOCATION | ACCEPTANCE RATE |
Rice University | Houston | 9% |
Dallas Christian College | Dallas | 13% |
Trinity University | San Antonio | 29% |
The University of Texas at Austin | Austin | 32% |
Texas Wesleyan University | Fort Worth | 42% |
Texas A&M University – Commerce | Commerce | 43% |
Baylor University | Waco | 45% |
University of Dallas | Irving | 45% |
LeTourneau University | Longview | 45% |
McMurry University | Abilene | 45% |
Southern Methodist University | Dallas | 47% |
Texas Christian University | Fort Worth | 47% |
Southwestern University | Georgetown | 49% |
Austin College | Sherman | 51% |
Howard Payne University | Brownwood | 54% |
Texas A&M International University | Laredo | 54% |
Texas A&M University – Galveston | Galveston | 55% |
University of Houston – Victoria | Victoria | 56% |
Tarleton State University | Stephenville | 56% |
Texas Lutheran University | Seguin | 56% |
Southwestern Adventist University | Keene | 58% |
Early Admissions at UT Austin
The University of Texas at Austin does not offer Early Decision. Similarly, it does not offer any early admission plan, such as Early Action many colleges and universities without Early Decision offer. All applicants can apply Regular Decision only, which has two deadlines: priority and regular.
Just because UT Austin is your top-choice school doesn’t mean that you can submit your application and all the necessary materials to the institution earlier than everybody else. That’s because you can’t.
Only one admission plan is offered by the school, and that’s Regular Decision.
But the good news is that the University of Texas at Austin has a priority application deadline, which is November 1. This allows you to receive an admission notification by February 1. There is also a regular application deadline, which is December 1. You will get an admission notification no later than March 1.
Keep in mind that, at UT Austin, applying earlier will not increase your chances of getting accepted.
According to the institution’s admissions office itself, all applicants who submit complete applications on time are considered for admission — all they have to do is wait to hear back from the school.
By the way, up to 6% of all applicants at the University of Texas at Austin who are from high schools in Texas are eligible for automatic admission, which is courtesy of Texas law. There are certain requirements aspirants have to meet in order to be eligible for automatic admission, such as being in the top 10% of their high school class.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend the University of Texas at Austin?
The sticker price of attending the University of Texas at Austin is $28,894 for Texas residents and $56,686 for non-Texas residents. In-state tuition costs $10,858. Out-of-state tuition is more than three times higher, costing $38,650. Around 46% of first-year UT Austin students get financial aid.
In Texas, the average in-state and out-of-state tuition as of this writing are $6,191 and $12,797, respectively.
These figures confirm that it’s more expensive to attend the University of Texas at Austin than most other public institutions in the state. It’s due to this why you should consider the pros and cons of going to the school if you are applying as either an in-state student or an out-of-state student.
Here’s a breakdown of the estimated cost of attending the University of Texas at Austin for one year for undergraduate students, both in-state and out-of-state, based on the academic year 2021 to 2022 rate:
EXPENSES | IN-STATE COSTS | OUT-OF-STATE COSTS |
Tuition | $10,858 | $38,650 |
Room and board | $12,768 | $12,768 |
Transportation | $1,542 | $1,542 |
Books and supplies | $724 | $724 |
Personal | $3,002 | $3,002 |
TOTAL | $28,894 | $56,686 |
At UT Austin, there are tuition exemptions.
Those who receive them do not have to pay tuition that semester as they are issued only for the term in which students are currently enrolled. And for most instances, it’s a must for recipients to maintain satisfactory academic progress in order to be able to maintain tuition exemptions.
Related Article: 425 Colleges Charging In-State Tuition for Out-of-State Applicants
These are just a few tuition exemption examples:
- Highest Ranking High School Graduate
- Exemption for Children of Disabled or Deceased Texas Firefighters and Peace Officers
- Exemption for Foster and Adopted Children
- Exemption for Children of Professional Nursing Faculty and Staff Members
- Peace Officers Disabled in the Line of Duty Exemption
- Exemption for Participants in a Military Funeral
- Exemption for Senior Citizens
How Much Do University of Texas at Austin Graduates Make?
On average, the annual salaries of employed University of Texas at Austin graduates ten years after initial enrollment are 100% higher than the national median — $68,600 vs. $34,300. Meanwhile, alumni members’ initial salaries (six years after attending UT Austin for the first time) average $49,200.
Many different things can impact your paychecks after earning a college degree and getting hired.
The major is one of the most important role players. At the University of Texas at Austin, undergraduate students do not need to declare a major until the second semester of their sophomore year. So, in other words, just in case you will attend UT Austin, you have three long semesters to think about your major.
Let’s take a look at the average initial salaries of University of Texas at Austin graduates according to major:
MAJOR | YEARLY EARNINGS |
Chemical Engineering | $78,400 |
Petroleum Engineering | $77,300 |
Electrical Engineering | $76,300 |
Communications Engineering | $76,300 |
Computer and Information Sciences | $76,200 |
Mechanical Engineering | $70,300 |
Finance | $66,800 |
Biomedical Engineering | $65,500 |
Registered Nursing | $63,600 |
Nursing Administration | $63,600 |
Business Administration | $57,900 |
Accounting | $54,400 |
Economics | $52,200 |
Mathematics | $50,700 |
Architecture | $49,900 |
Marketing | $49,900 |
Geological and Earth Sciences | $44,400 |
Physics | $39,300 |
Chemistry | $38,100 |
Humanities | $37,600 |
Political Science | $37,100 |
Sociology | $36,600 |
Journalism | $34,000 |
English Language and Literature | $33,000 |
Public Health | $32,100 |
Health and Physical Education | $31,800 |
Philosophy | $30,300 |
Music | $29,800 |
Psychology | $29,700 |
Biology | $29,100 |
History | $27,100 |
Anthropology | $25,500 |
Just Before You Apply to the University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a good school for degree-seeking students who like to spend the next four years of their academic lives in an urban setting where there is never a shortage of organizations to join in and parties to partake in without putting quality education on the line.
Before you add UT Austin to your college list, spend enough time weighing the pros and cons of choosing it over other institutions similar to it.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the College Reality Check.