Harvard vs Texas at Austin - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Harvard admits 3.6% of applicants, while Texas at Austin admits 26.6%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Harvard: 15.7% of students against 4.5% (Texas at Austin).
Average aid for an international student is $81,046 (Harvard) and $21,838 (Texas at Austin).
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Harvard starts at $87,926 against $60,460 and ends at $13,539 against $40,241 (Texas at Austin).
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Harvard is the more selective of the two (3.65% vs 26.64% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#1 vs #45). Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $75K). Texas at Austin has lower sticker-price tuition ($44,908 vs $64,796 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Harvard for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Texas at Austin for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Harvard is more selective (3.65% vs 26.64% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1395).
Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $75K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 88.9%).
Texas at Austin has lower sticker-price tuition ($44,908 vs $64,796); Harvard offers a larger average aid package ($74,387 vs $20,219).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Harvard | Texas at Austin |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #1 | #45 |
| Rank · THE | #3 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 3.65% | 26.64% |
| Yield rate | 83.6% | 47.4% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1395 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.21 | - |
| Number of applications | 54,008 | 72,885 |
| International students | 15.7% | 4.5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $75K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $51K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $200K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 88.9% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 96.7% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $20,500 |
| Tuition · year | $64,796 | $44,908 |
| Avg. aid package | $74,387 | $20,219 |
| % of need met | 100% | 75% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,262 | $19,919 |
| Application fee | $85 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 21,189 | 53,864 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Harvard or Texas at Austin?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Harvard accepts 3.65% of applicants, while Texas at Austin accepts 26.64%.
Do Harvard or Texas at Austin graduates earn more?
Harvard graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $75K.
How much is tuition at Harvard vs Texas at Austin?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,796 per year at Harvard and $44,908 per year at Texas at Austin.
What SAT score do you need for Harvard or Texas at Austin?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Harvard and 1395 at Texas at Austin; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Harvard or Texas at Austin?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #1 for Harvard vs #45 for Texas at Austin.
Which university offers more financial aid - Harvard or Texas at Austin?
The average aid package is $74,387 at Harvard and $20,219 at Texas at Austin.
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