University of Colorado Boulder vs University of Texas at Austin

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.

At sticker price, UT Austin costs less over 4 years ($213,400 vs $227,512). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. CU Boulder offers an average of $13,200/year in aid while UT Austin offers $14,990/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.

The average SAT score at CU Boulder is 1290 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.

Graduates of UT Austin have a higher average starting salary ($68,500 vs $63,400). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.

CU Boulder has a 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio while UT Austin has 17:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.

CU Boulder is located in Boulder, Colorado (suburban setting) with a 600-acre campus. UT Austin is in Austin, Texas (urban setting) with 431 acres. CU Boulder competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UT Austin in NCAA D1.