Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Austin, Texas
29.1% Acceptance Rate
The University of Texas at Austin — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
29.1%Acceptance Rate
3.8Avg GPA
1380Avg SAT
30Avg ACT
$29,842Annual Cost
$75,121Grad Salary
25.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
29.1%
Avg GPA
3.8
Avg SAT
1380
Avg ACT
30
Selectivity
Highly Competitive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1230–1490
ACT Middle 50%
27–33
Avg Net Price
$19,678
Need-Based Aid
25.1% receive Pell
The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), founded in 1883, is the flagship institution of the UT System and a Public Ivy with 52,000+ students across 18 colleges. As a top-10 public university, UT excels in petroleum engineering (#1 globally), computer science (home to Turing Award winners), and film (notable alumni include Matthew McConaughey). Its 431-acre urban campus blends Beaux-Arts architecture like the Tower with cutting-edge facilities like the Dell Medical School and the $120 million Engineering Education and Research Center.
UT's research prowess ($1.1 billion annual expenditures) spans from the Texas Advanced Computing Center to the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Longhorn traditions from the 130,000-seat Darrell K Royal Stadium to 'Hook 'em Horns' hand signs?fuel school spirit. The university's Austin location provides Fortune 500 internships (Apple, Tesla) and a vibrant music scene. Recent initiatives include the $1.6 billion 'What Starts Here' campaign focusing on affordability, with Texas Advance Commitment covering full tuition for families earning under $65k. UT's 530,000+ alumni network includes 13 Nobel laureates and 39 Pulitzer winners.
The University of Texas at Austin Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at The University of Texas at Austin is 29.1%, which puts it squarely in the 'reach for most, match for the well-prepared' category.
What UT Austin Admissions Looks For
- Clear Intent: Interviews and supplements should show why this school specifically, not just any selective school.
- Consistent Academics: A steady record of A-level performance across core subjects is expected.
- Score Validation: A strong SAT or ACT score can offset a minor GPA dip.
Selectivity at a Glance
Highly Competitive
Selectivity scale: Highly Competitive — 29.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Grades open the door at UT Austin, but a strong, specific personal statement is often what closes it.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.80 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.60 – 3.79
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.35
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
The University of Texas at Austin Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark October 15 for The University of Texas at Austin (Early Action — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by January 15.
Key Admission Dates
Early Action
October 15
Decision by: January 15
Regular Decision
December 1
Decision by: February 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
UT Austin GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UT Austin is 3.8. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.50 and 3.8, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 4.00–4.20.UT Austin GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective. This GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.80 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.60 – 3.79
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.40 – 3.59
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.39
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- UT Austin's automatic admission threshold has tightened from the historical top 6% to the top 5% of Texas high school graduating classes beginning with students entering Fall 2026, driven by continued growth in statewide application volume.
- The university caps automatic admission at 75% of its entering class under state law, meaning the remaining 25% of Texas resident offers, along with all out-of-state and international admission, are decided through individualized holistic review with no guaranteed pathway.
- UT Austin does not conduct alumni interviews as part of its admissions process, making the required essays and any optional supplemental materials (like an expanded resume) the primary channels for conveying personal context beyond grades and test scores.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at UT Austin
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from The University of Texas at Austin's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at UT Austin. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into UT Austin Without SAT or ACT?
UT Austin considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
The University of Texas at Austin Average SAT Score: 1380
Admitted students at The University of Texas at Austin average a 1380 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1380 — Competitive
A 1380 average is a respectable, above-average benchmark nationally.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1490 SAT or 33 ACT) to stand out. Below average? The University of Texas at Austin allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1230? A retake is worth it at UT Austin. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 685 | 610 | 760 |
| SAT Reading | 675 | 620 | 730 |
| SAT Composite | 1380 | 1230 | 1490 |
A score under 1230 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1490+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1400
Can I get into The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) with a 1500 SAT?
At 1500, your SAT is squarely in UT Austin's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) ACT Requirements
UT Austin's admitted students average an ACT of 30.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 30 — Very Competitive
UT Austin's ACT average sits comfortably in the upper range nationally.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 29 | 25 | 33 |
| ACT English | 31 | 26 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 30 | 27 | 33 |
Can I get into The University of Texas at Austin with a 33 ACT?
At 33, you're in the top quarter of UT Austin's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, UT Austin weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UT Austin
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
UT Austin rewards consistency. Being a top-quartile applicant here doesn't just help admission odds. It's usually what unlocks the strongest scholarship offers too.
Know Exactly Where You Stand Under the New 5% Auto-Admit Threshold
Beginning with the Fall 2026 entering class, Texas resident applicants in the top 5% of their high school graduating class (down from the historical 6%) receive automatic admission to UT Austin under state law. If you qualify, your application strategy shifts entirely toward securing your specific intended major, since auto-admit guarantees a spot at the university but not in competitive programs.
Treat Your "Why This Major" Essay as Decisive for Competitive Programs, Auto-Admit or Not
UT Austin's required 250-300 word essay asking why you're interested in your first-choice major carries real weight for impacted programs like business, engineering, and computer science, which require holistic review regardless of class rank or auto-admit status. Even auto-admitted students must demonstrate genuine, specific fit with their intended major through this essay to be admitted directly into competitive colleges rather than a less selective alternative.
If You're Outside the Top 5%, Build Your Entire Application Around Holistic Review
The remaining roughly 25% of Texas resident offers, plus all out-of-state and international admission, go through individualized holistic review weighing GPA, essays, extracurriculars, and recommendations together - no single factor guarantees admission outside the automatic-admission statute. Use the optional resume and any supplemental materials Texas allows to convey context an application form alone can't capture, since this pathway requires a genuinely complete, differentiated profile.
Don't Assume Superscoring Will Smooth Over a Weak Test Sitting
UT Austin requires SAT or ACT submission for Fall 2026 entrants but does not superscore across multiple test dates, unlike many peer universities. Plan your testing timeline so your single best complete sitting is genuinely strong, rather than counting on the admissions office to combine your best section scores across attempts.
Expert Insight: Do not assume that meeting the top 5% auto-admit threshold removes the need for a strong major-specific essay - competitive programs like McCombs Business, Cockrell Engineering, and Computer Science evaluate essays and extracurriculars independently of class rank, and an auto-admitted student with a weak or generic "why this major" response can still be redirected away from their intended college.
UT Austin Profile
Full Name
The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)
City
Austin
State
Texas
ZIP Code
78705
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a UT Austin Degree Worth It?
At $29,842/year against a $75,121 median graduate salary, UT Austin is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $72,300, and graduates see a 3.26% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from UT Austin Cost?
Listed tuition runs $29,842/year at UT Austin. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $19,678.
At UT Austin, 25.1% receive a Pell Grant and 27.1% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming UT Austin on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a UT Austin Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, UT Austin graduates report a median income of $75,121, about 85% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than The University of Texas at Austin. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
| University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1344 | 31 |
| United States Air Force Academy | USAF Academy, CO | 1362 | 30 |
| University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT | 1338 | 31 |
| Wheaton College | Wheaton, IL | 1363 | 30 |
| Centre College | Danville, KY | 1345 | 29 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as The University of Texas at Austin. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Terre Haute, IN | 1389 | 32 |
| St. John's College | Annapolis, MD | 1381 | 31 |
| St Olaf College | Northfield, MN | 1373 | 30 |
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick | New Brunswick, NJ | 1383 | 31 |
| Bard College | Annandale-On-Hudson, NY | 1387 | 31 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than The University of Texas at Austin. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs, CO | 1445 | 33 |
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | 1433 | 33 |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | 1416 | 32 |
Degree Programs at UT Austin
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UT Austin Admissions
The University of Texas at Austin graduates earn a moderate median salary of $75,121/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at The University of Texas at Austin is relatively affordable, around $29,842/year.
25.1% of The University of Texas at Austin students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
The University of Texas at Austin's acceptance rate is 29.1%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted The University of Texas at Austin students is 3.8, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.5 puts you in the standard applicant pool at The University of Texas at Austin. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.4 or below makes admission tougher at The University of Texas at Austin, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
The University of Texas at Austin weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1380, and within the 1230–1490 range, keeps you competitive.
The University of Texas at Austin's deadline is October 15 (Early Action), with decisions out by January 15.
The University of Texas at Austin charges an application fee of 75; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before December 1, 2026. That's The University of Texas at Austin's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.