University of Texas at Austin
AUSTIN, TEXAS
University of Virginia
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
COLLEGE COUNCIL · ATLAS · US UNIVERSITIES

Texas at austin vs Virginia — US university comparison

University of Texas at Austin
TEXAS AT AUSTIN
Austin, Texas
World rank · ARWU#45
Acceptance26.6%
Median SAT1395
Graduation rate88.9%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$75K
University of Virginia
VIRGINIA
Charlottesville, Virginia
World rank · ARWU#201-300
Acceptance16.8%
Median SAT1480
Graduation rate95.6%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$87K
🔒 UNDERGRADUATE 🔒 GRADUATE

KEY DATA

University of Texas at Austin University of Virginia
#45 World rank · ARWU #201-300
Rank · THE
26.6% Acceptance rate 16.8%
1395 Median SAT 1480
88.9% Graduation rate 95.6%
53,864 Enrollment 26,470

HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS

26.6% Acceptance rate 16.8%
47.4% Yield rate 40%
1395 Median SAT 1480
Avg. GPA
72,885 Number of applications 58,951
9% Int'l students 12%
$75K Median earnings · 10 yrs $87K
$74K Avg. earnings · 10 yrs $79K
$117K Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs $130K
88.9% Graduation rate 95.6%
96.7% Retention rate 97.9%
$20,500 Median debt $17,500
$44,908 Tuition · year $59,512
$20,219 Avg. aid package $37,123
75% % of need met 100%
$19,919 Avg. graduate debt $25,137
$75 Application fee $75
Avg. int'l aid
At a glance
Virginia leads in 8 of 11 measured metrics
Aid$20,219 vs $37,123
Acceptance26.6% vs 16.8%
% of need75% vs 100%

EXPERT TAKE

Virginia is the more selective of the two (16.8% vs 26.6% acceptance). Texas at austin ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#45 vs #201-300). Virginia graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($87K vs $75K). Texas at austin has lower sticker-price tuition ($44,908 vs $59,512 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 Texas at austin for: a higher world ranking, lower tuition, lower graduate debt.

Choose Virginia for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.

College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.

BY THE NUMBERS

Admissions

Virginia is more selective (16.8% vs 26.6% acceptance); Virginia has a higher median SAT (1480 vs 1395).

Graduate outcomes

Virginia graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($87K vs $75K); Virginia has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.6% vs 88.9%).

Cost and aid

Texas at austin has lower sticker-price tuition ($44,908 vs $59,512); Virginia offers a larger average aid package ($37,123 vs $20,219).

VALUE LANDSCAPE

$35k$76k$117k$158k$11k$34k$57k$80kTexas at austinVirginia TUITION · YEAR → MEDIAN EARNINGS · 10 YRS →
Each dot is a comparable US university; Texas at austin and Virginia highlighted. Up and to the left = better value ratio.

FULL DATA TABLE

Metric Texas at austin Virginia
World rank · ARWU#45#201-300
Rank · THE
Acceptance rate26.6%16.8%
Yield rate47.4%40%
Median SAT13951480
Avg. GPA
Number of applications72,88558,951
International students9%12%
Median earnings · 10 yrs$75K$87K
Avg. earnings · 10 yrs$74K$79K
Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs$117K$130K
Graduation rate88.9%95.6%
Retention rate96.7%97.9%
Median debt$20,500$17,500
Tuition · year$44,908$59,512
Avg. aid package$20,219$37,123
% of need met75%100%
Avg. graduate debt$19,919$25,137
Application fee$75$75
Enrollment53,86426,470

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is it harder to get into Texas at austin or Virginia?

It's harder to get into Virginia. Texas at austin accepts 26.6% of applicants, while Virginia accepts 16.8%.

Do Texas at austin or Virginia graduates earn more?

Virginia graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $87K vs $75K.

How much is tuition at Texas at austin vs Virginia?

Sticker-price tuition is $44,908 per year at Texas at austin and $59,512 per year at Virginia.

What SAT score do you need for Texas at austin or Virginia?

The median admitted SAT score is 1395 at Texas at austin and 1480 at Virginia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.

Which university ranks higher — Texas at austin or Virginia?

Texas at austin ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #45 for Texas at austin vs #201-300 for Virginia.

Which university offers more financial aid — Texas at austin or Virginia?

The average aid package is $20,219 at Texas at austin and $37,123 at Virginia.

Compare Texas at austin with
Highest-ranked in ARWU. Click "↻ Change university" in the cards above to choose from all 47 universities (+35).
All metrics come 100% from College Council Atlas (canonical) — admissions, SAT, GPA, graduate outcomes, financial aid and costs from IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25; rankings from ARWU 2024 and THE 2025. Zero manual fields. "—" = not yet in canonical.