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Indiana University Bloomington vs University of Texas at Austin

A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of academics, cost, admissions, campus life and career outcomes to help you choose.

80.0% IU acceptance
29.0% UT Austin acceptance
$6,672 IU cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

IU
Bloomington, Indiana
Public
Founded
1820
Enrollment
47,527
Setting
Suburban
UT Austin
Austin, Texas
Public
Founded
1883
Enrollment
52,384
Setting
Urban

At a Glance

Tuition IU saves $1,886
IU
$39,184
UT Austin
$41,070
Acceptance Rate UT Austin more selective
IU
80.0%
UT Austin
29.0%
Graduation Rate UT Austin higher
IU
80%
UT Austin
87%
Avg SAT Score UT Austin higher
IU
1240
UT Austin
1370
Starting Salary UT Austin higher
IU
$58,900
UT Austin
$68,500

Detailed Comparison

Metric IU UT Austin Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$39,184$41,070IU
Tuition (In-State)$11,614$11,448UT Austin
Room & Board$12,498$12,280UT Austin
Acceptance Rate80.0%29.0%UT Austin
Graduation Rate80%87%UT Austin
Average SAT12401370UT Austin
Student-Faculty Ratio15:117:1IU
Enrollment47,52752,384-
Avg Financial Aid$13,900$14,990UT Austin
Starting Salary$58,900$68,500UT Austin
Endowment$3.6B$44.9BUT Austin
Campus Size1,940 acres431 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

IU
$206,728
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
UT Austin
$213,400
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: IU = $151,128 | UT Austin = $153,440. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

IU Top Majors

BusinessBiologyPublic HealthInformaticsMedia

UT Austin Top Majors

BusinessEngineeringComputer ScienceBiologyCommunication

Campus & Student Life

Setting
IUSuburban
UT AustinUrban
Campus Size
IU1,940 ac
UT Austin431 ac
Athletics
IUNCAA D1
UT AustinNCAA D1
Region
IUMidwest
UT AustinSouth
Founded
IU1820
UT Austin1883
Enrollment
IU47,527
UT Austin52,384

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is IU or UT Austin harder to get into?+
UT Austin is more selective with an acceptance rate of 29.0% compared to 80.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, IU or UT Austin?+
At sticker price, IU costs less over 4 years ($206,728 vs $213,400). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. IU offers an average of $13,900/year in aid while UT Austin offers $14,990/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for IU and UT Austin?+
The average SAT score at IU is 1240 and at UT Austin it is 1370. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.
Do IU or UT Austin graduates earn more?+
Graduates of UT Austin have a higher average starting salary ($68,500 vs $58,900). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each school?+
IU has a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio while UT Austin has 17:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do IU and UT Austin compare for campus life?+
IU is located in Bloomington, Indiana (suburban setting) with a 1,940-acre campus. UT Austin is in Austin, Texas (urban setting) with 431 acres. IU competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UT Austin in NCAA D1.