Stanford vs Texas at Austin - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
A place is harder to win where the bar sits higher: Stanford admits 3.8%, Texas at Austin admits 26.6%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 13.1% (Stanford) against 4.5% (Texas at Austin).
Real money goes to international students at Stanford ($85,424 on average), while Texas at Austin stops at $21,838.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Stanford lists $97,545 against $60,460 (Texas at Austin), but after average aid what remains is $20,266 against $40,241.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
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
Stanford is the more selective of the two (3.8% vs 26.64% acceptance). Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#2 vs #45). Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $75K). Texas at Austin has lower sticker-price tuition ($44,908 vs $68,574 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 Stanford 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
Stanford is more selective (3.8% vs 26.64% acceptance); Stanford has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1395).
Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $75K); Stanford has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.9% vs 88.9%).
Texas at Austin has lower sticker-price tuition ($44,908 vs $68,574); Stanford offers a larger average aid package ($77,279 vs $20,219).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Stanford | Texas at Austin |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #2 | #45 |
| Rank · THE | #6 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 3.8% | 26.64% |
| Yield rate | 79.9% | 47.4% |
| Median SAT | 1550 | 1395 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.94 | - |
| Number of applications | 60,646 | 72,885 |
| International students | 13.1% | 4.5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $124K | $75K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $73K | $51K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $220K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 91.9% | 88.9% |
| Retention rate | 97.5% | 96.7% |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $20,500 |
| Tuition · year | $68,574 | $44,908 |
| Avg. aid package | $77,279 | $20,219 |
| % of need met | 100% | 75% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $28,507 | $19,919 |
| Application fee | $100 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 18,121 | 53,864 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Stanford or Texas at Austin?
It's harder to get into Stanford. Stanford accepts 3.8% of applicants, while Texas at Austin accepts 26.64%.
Do Stanford or Texas at Austin graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $75K.
How much is tuition at Stanford vs Texas at Austin?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,574 per year at Stanford and $44,908 per year at Texas at Austin.
What SAT score do you need for Stanford or Texas at Austin?
The median admitted SAT score is 1550 at Stanford and 1395 at Texas at Austin; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Stanford or Texas at Austin?
Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #2 for Stanford vs #45 for Texas at Austin.
Which university offers more financial aid - Stanford or Texas at Austin?
The average aid package is $77,279 at Stanford and $20,219 at Texas at Austin.
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