Virginia vs Texas at Austin - 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 (#201-300 vs #45). 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 Virginia for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Texas at Austin for: a higher world ranking, lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
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 | Virginia | Texas at Austin |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #45 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 16.81% | 26.64% |
| Yield rate | 40% | 47.4% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1395 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 58,951 | 72,885 |
| International students | 4.9% | 4.5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $87K | $75K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $59K | $51K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $130K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 95.6% | 88.9% |
| Retention rate | 97.9% | 96.7% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $20,500 |
| Tuition · year | $62,923 | $44,908 |
| Avg. aid package | $37,123 | $20,219 |
| % of need met | 100% | 75% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,137 | $19,919 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 26,470 | 53,864 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Virginia or Texas at Austin?
It's harder to get into Virginia. Virginia accepts 16.81% of applicants, while Texas at Austin accepts 26.64%.
Do Virginia or Texas at Austin graduates earn more?
Virginia graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $87K vs $75K.
How much is tuition at Virginia vs Texas at Austin?
Sticker-price tuition is $62,923 per year at Virginia and $44,908 per year at Texas at Austin.
What SAT score do you need for Virginia or Texas at Austin?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Virginia and 1395 at Texas at Austin; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Virginia or Texas at Austin?
Texas at Austin ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Virginia vs #45 for Texas at Austin.
Which university offers more financial aid - Virginia or Texas at Austin?
The average aid package is $37,123 at Virginia and $20,219 at Texas at Austin.
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