Texas at Austin vs Virginia - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Virginia admits 16.8% of applicants, while Texas at Austin admits 26.6%.
Virginia reports no financial aid for international students, while Texas at Austin awards them $21,838 on average. For an applicant from outside the US that is usually the most important difference on this page.
On paper the cheaper option is Texas at Austin: $44,908 against $62,923, which is $18,015 less a year.
Ten years on, graduates of Virginia earn noticeably more: $87K against $75K.
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
Virginia is the more selective of the two (16.81% vs 26.64% 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 $62,923 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
Virginia is more selective (16.81% vs 26.64% acceptance); Virginia has a higher median SAT (1470 vs 1395).
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%).
Texas at Austin has lower sticker-price tuition ($44,908 vs $62,923); Virginia offers a larger average aid package ($37,123 vs $20,219).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Texas at Austin | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #45 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 26.64% | 16.81% |
| Yield rate | 47.4% | 40% |
| Median SAT | 1395 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 72,885 | 58,951 |
| International students | 4.5% | 4.9% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $75K | $87K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $51K | $59K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $130K |
| Graduation rate | 88.9% | 95.6% |
| Retention rate | 96.7% | 97.9% |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $44,908 | $62,923 |
| Avg. aid package | $20,219 | $37,123 |
| % of need met | 75% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $19,919 | $25,137 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 53,864 | 26,470 |
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 26.64% of applicants, while Virginia accepts 16.81%.
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 $62,923 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 1470 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.
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