UT Austin vs. UTSA

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Texas at Austin is larger than UTSA based on total student enrollment (53,864 students vs. 35,770 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Texas at Austin is located in Austin, TX (Large City setting); The University of Texas at San Antonio is in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting).
• The University of Texas at Austin is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at San Antonio is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Texas at Austin 18:1; The University of Texas at San Antonio 24:1.

UT Austin vs. UTSA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UT Austin or UTSA? 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 The University of Texas at San Antonio than UT Austin ($10,959 vs. $17,942).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at Austin are 0.6% lower than at The University of Texas at San Antonio ($14,828 vs. $14,912).
• The University of Texas at Austin is 29.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTSA (about $2,677 more per year; $11,688.00 vs. $9,011.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103.7% higher at UT Austin than at The University of Texas at San Antonio (about $22,857 more per year; $44,908.00 vs. $22,051.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Texas at San Antonio than at The University of Texas at Austin (76% vs. 42%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Texas at Austin students is 20.7% larger than aid received by The University of Texas at San Antonio students ($13,681 vs. $11,332).

UT Austin vs. UTSA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Texas at Austin (1380) is 270 points higher than at UTSA (1110).
• Incoming UT Austin students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 22 at UTSA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Texas at Austin 1250/1510; The University of Texas at San Antonio 1000/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Texas at Austin 27/33; The University of Texas at San Antonio 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UT Austin - Required; UTSA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UT Austin Dec 1, 2026; UTSA Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UT Austin students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at UTSA (3.36).
• UTSA has a higher acceptance rate (86.8%) than UT Austin (26.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.4% at UT Austin vs. 27.1% at UTSA.

UT Austin vs. UTSA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UT Austin and UTSA? 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 The University of Texas at San Antonio's (27%).
• Graduates from The University of Texas at Austin earn a median of about $20,700 more per year than UTSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,600 vs. $47,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas at Austin graduates have a $733 lower median loan debt than UTSA graduates ($22,250 vs. $22,983).
• Among borrowers, UT Austin graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UTSA graduates ($230 vs. $237).
• More UT Austin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTSA students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 55%)

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.