UT Austin vs Texas Tech

Envision yourself as a student navigating the vibrant college towns of Austin and Lubbock, each brimming with unique opportunities. The University of Texas at Austin, a public research powerhouse, stands tall with an acceptance rate of 37%, while Texas Tech University, a public research university, welcomes a broader range of students with an acceptance rate of 79%. Immerse yourself in the diverse student bodies of these institutions, where UT Austin boasts a larger population of over 51,000 students, while Texas Tech fosters a close-knit community of around 40,000 students. Explore the academic strengths of each university, with UT Austin excelling in fields like engineering, business, and natural sciences, and Texas Tech shining in areas such as engineering, education, and agriculture. Discover the paths that await you after graduation, with UT Austin boasting a higher graduation rate of 81% compared to Texas Tech's 68%. Delve into the comparison table to uncover further

	Texas Tech University	The University of Texas at Austin
Overview
Location	Lubbock, Texas	Austin, Texas
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	85.0%	96.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	67.9%	28.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $65	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $65
SAT range	1110 - 1280	1230 - 1500
ACT range	23 - 28	27 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	31.0%	56.0%
Students submitting ACT score	16.0%	26.0%
Total number of applicants	33,756	66,077
Total number of admissions given out	22,908	18,994
Admitted students who chose to enroll	6,629	9,060
Yield rate	28.9%	47.7%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $27,782 Out of state: $40,052	In state: $29,788 Out of state: $59,032
Average net price	$17,057	$16,589
Tuition	In state: $8,935 Out of state: $21,205	In state: $11,752 Out of state: $40,996
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,694 Meal plan: $3,652	$12,768
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	78.0% Average amount $8,823	51.0% Average amount $12,725
Students receiving federal student loan	40.0% Average amount $5,243	28.0% Average amount $4,961
Students taking out private loans	10.0% Average amount $14,606	1.0% Average amount $16,366

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	33,132 Men 51.0% Women 49.0%	40,916 Men 43.4% Women 56.6%
Graduate students	7,410 Men 44.6% Women 55.4%	11,075 Men 49.5% Women 50.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	9.3%	9.2%
International students	5.1%	9.1%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	8,069	7,809
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Texas New Mexico California Colorado Illinois	Texas California New York New Jersey Illinois

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Education Biological and Biomedical Sciences Family and Consumer Sciences	Business Engineering Multidisciplinary Studies Communication and Journalism Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	21:1	17:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	62.7%	87.8%
Dropout rate	7.5%	11.7%
Transferred out	27.6%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $82,752 Year 2: $89,305 Year 3: $105,747 Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $89,229 Year 2: $83,325 Year 3: $103,896 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $83,915 Year 3: $85,017 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,234 Year 2: $73,562 Year 3: $83,187 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,975 Year 2: $73,530 Year 3: $80,320 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $75,153 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $80,178 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,931 Year 2: $66,821 Year 3: $79,461 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $63,983 Year 2: $60,854 Year 3: $79,100 Construction Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,843 Year 2: $68,139 Year 3: $78,681 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $81,271 Year 2: $75,706 Year 3: $78,073	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $130,952 Year 2: $131,707 Year 3: $149,763 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $122,716 Year 2: $97,959 Year 3: $131,523 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $115,909 Year 2: $120,124 Year 3: $127,068 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $92,526 Year 2: $100,607 Year 3: $120,559 Engineering, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $109,082 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $119,993 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,247 Year 2: $102,706 Year 3: $108,654 Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $87,293 Year 2: $88,723 Year 3: $99,721 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $89,133 Year 2: $79,558 Year 3: $97,550 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $83,714 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $93,999 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $81,984 Year 2: $80,550 Year 3: $92,064

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in academic reputation between UT Austin and Texas Tech?

The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) generally holds a higher national and international academic reputation, particularly in fields like engineering, business, law, and natural sciences. Texas Tech University (Texas Tech) has a strong regional reputation and is recognized for its programs in engineering, agriculture, and architecture. UT Austin often attracts a more competitive applicant pool, leading to higher average SAT/ACT scores and class rankings.
How do the campus environments differ at UT Austin and Texas Tech?

UT Austin boasts a large, vibrant campus located in the state capital, Austin. It offers a diverse and bustling atmosphere with numerous events, cultural attractions, and a strong emphasis on research and innovation. Texas Tech, situated in Lubbock, provides a more close-knit and traditional college experience. The campus is known for its distinctive Spanish Renaissance architecture and a strong sense of community, particularly within its Greek life and student organizations.
What are the typical costs associated with attending UT Austin versus Texas Tech?

Tuition and fees at UT Austin and Texas Tech vary depending on residency status and specific programs. Generally, UT Austin tends to have slightly higher tuition costs, especially for out-of-state students. However, both universities offer various financial aid options, scholarships, and grants to help offset the cost of attendance. It's recommended to check the official university websites for the most up-to-date information on tuition, fees, and financial aid opportunities.
How do the student bodies compare at UT Austin and Texas Tech?

UT Austin has a significantly larger student body, reflecting its status as a major public research university. This larger size contributes to a more diverse student population, representing a wide range of backgrounds, interests, and perspectives. Texas Tech has a smaller student body, fostering a stronger sense of community and closer relationships between students and faculty. Both universities have a strong representation of Texas residents, but UT Austin attracts a larger percentage of out-of-state and international students.
What are the strengths of the academic programs at UT Austin?

UT Austin excels in a wide array of academic disciplines. It is particularly renowned for its programs in engineering, business (McCombs School of Business), law (UT Law), natural sciences, liberal arts, and computer science. The university's strong research focus provides students with opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research and collaborate with leading faculty members. UT Austin also offers a vast selection of undergraduate and graduate programs, providing students with a wide range of academic choices.
What are the strengths of the academic programs at Texas Tech?

Texas Tech is highly regarded for its programs in engineering, agriculture, architecture, and business. The university has a strong focus on practical, hands-on learning experiences, preparing students for successful careers in their chosen fields. Texas Tech also has a growing reputation in areas like health sciences and offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, catering to diverse academic interests.
How does the research focus differ between UT Austin and Texas Tech?

UT Austin is a major research university with a significant emphasis on groundbreaking research across various disciplines. It receives substantial funding for research projects and offers extensive research opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. Texas Tech is also a research university, but its research focus tends to be more concentrated in specific areas, such as engineering, agriculture, and renewable energy. Both universities contribute significantly to research and innovation within the state and beyond.
What are the career services and opportunities like at UT Austin and Texas Tech?

Both UT Austin and Texas Tech offer comprehensive career services to assist students with career planning, job searching, and internship opportunities. UT Austin, with its larger network and location in Austin, often provides access to a wider range of internship and job opportunities, particularly in the tech and business sectors. Texas Tech, with its strong alumni network and regional connections, offers excellent career support, especially in fields like engineering, agriculture, and architecture. Both universities host career fairs and provide resources for resume writing, interview preparation, and networking.
How does the campus life and social scene compare at UT Austin and Texas Tech?

UT Austin offers a dynamic and diverse campus life with a wide array of student organizations, events, and activities. The university's location in Austin provides students with access to a vibrant city with numerous entertainment, cultural, and recreational opportunities. Texas Tech fosters a strong sense of community and school spirit, with a more traditional college experience. The campus is known for its active Greek life, student organizations, and a strong emphasis on athletics, particularly football.
Which university is a better fit for me: UT Austin or Texas Tech?

The best fit depends on your individual preferences and academic goals. If you are seeking a large, diverse university with a strong national reputation and a wide range of academic programs, UT Austin might be a good choice. If you prefer a more close-knit community, a traditional college experience, and strong programs in specific fields like engineering or agriculture, Texas Tech could be a better fit. Consider factors such as academic interests, campus environment, cost, and career aspirations when making your decision. Visiting both campuses, if possible, can also help you determine which university feels like the right fit for you.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.

Texas Tech

University of Alabama at Birmingham