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University of Texas at Austin vs University of Virginia

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

29.0% UT Austin acceptance
16.3% UVA acceptance
$67,384 UT Austin cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

UT Austin
Austin, Texas
Public
Founded
1883
Enrollment
52,384
Setting
Urban
UVA
Charlottesville, Virginia
Public
Founded
1819
Enrollment
26,082
Setting
Suburban

At a Glance

Tuition UT Austin saves $14,844
UT Austin
$41,070
UVA
$55,914
Acceptance Rate UVA more selective
UT Austin
29.0%
UVA
16.3%
Graduation Rate UVA higher
UT Austin
87%
UVA
94%
Avg SAT Score UVA higher
UT Austin
1370
UVA
1440
Starting Salary UVA higher
UT Austin
$68,500
UVA
$71,500

Detailed Comparison

Metric UT Austin UVA Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$41,070$55,914UT Austin
Tuition (In-State)$11,448$20,342UT Austin
Room & Board$12,280$14,282UT Austin
Acceptance Rate29.0%16.3%UVA
Graduation Rate87%94%UVA
Average SAT13701440UVA
Student-Faculty Ratio17:115:1UVA
Enrollment52,38426,082-
Avg Financial Aid$14,990$21,700UVA
Starting Salary$68,500$71,500UVA
Endowment$44.9B$14.5BUT Austin
Campus Size431 acres1,682 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

UT Austin
$213,400
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
UVA
$280,784
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: UT Austin = $153,440 | UVA = $193,984. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

UT Austin Top Majors

BusinessEngineeringComputer ScienceBiologyCommunication

UVA Top Majors

EconomicsBusinessComputer ScienceBiologyPsychology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
UT AustinUrban
UVASuburban
Campus Size
UT Austin431 ac
UVA1,682 ac
Athletics
UT AustinNCAA D1
UVANCAA D1
Region
UT AustinSouth
UVASouth
Founded
UT Austin1883
UVA1819
Enrollment
UT Austin52,384
UVA26,082

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is UT Austin or UVA harder to get into?+
UVA is more selective with an acceptance rate of 16.3% compared to 29.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, UT Austin or UVA?+
At sticker price, UT Austin costs less over 4 years ($213,400 vs $280,784). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. UT Austin offers an average of $14,990/year in aid while UVA offers $21,700/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for UT Austin and UVA?+
The average SAT score at UT Austin is 1370 and at UVA it is 1440. 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 UT Austin or UVA graduates earn more?+
Graduates of UVA have a higher average starting salary ($71,500 vs $68,500). 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?+
UT Austin has a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio while UVA has 15:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do UT Austin and UVA compare for campus life?+
UT Austin is located in Austin, Texas (urban setting) with a 431-acre campus. UVA is in Charlottesville, Virginia (suburban setting) with 1,682 acres. UT Austin competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UVA in NCAA D1.