UCSD vs. UT Austin

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Texas at Austin is larger than UCSD based on total student enrollment (53,864 students vs. 44,256 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); The University of Texas at Austin is in Austin, TX (Large City setting).
• University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at Austin is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California San Diego 19:1; The University of Texas at Austin 18:1.

UCSD vs. UT Austin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or UT Austin? 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 University of California San Diego than UT Austin ($14,047 vs. $17,942).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at Austin are 21.8% lower than at University of California San Diego ($14,828 vs. $18,970).
• University of California San Diego is 43.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UT Austin (about $5,070 more per year; $16,758.00 vs. $11,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.5% higher at UCSD than at The University of Texas at Austin (about $6,050 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $44,908.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California San Diego than at The University of Texas at Austin (59% vs. 42%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 88.3% larger than aid received by The University of Texas at Austin students ($25,757 vs. $13,681).

UCSD vs. UT Austin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is the same as at UT Austin (1380).
• Incoming UCSD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at UT Austin).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; The University of Texas at Austin 1250/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; The University of Texas at Austin 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; UT Austin - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; UT Austin Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at UT Austin (3.8).
• UCSD has a higher acceptance rate (26.7%) than UT Austin (26.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 47.4% at UT Austin.

UCSD vs. UT Austin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD and UT Austin? 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).

• University of California San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than The University of Texas at Austin's (81%).
• Graduates from The University of Texas at Austin earn a median of about $700 more per year than UCSD graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,600 vs. $67,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than UT Austin graduates ($18,500 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UT Austin graduates ($191 vs. $230).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UT Austin students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 77%)

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.