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University of Texas at Austin vs University of Washington

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

29.0% UT Austin acceptance
48.0% UW acceptance
$13,376 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
UW
Seattle, Washington
Public
Founded
1861
Enrollment
51,361
Setting
Urban

At a Glance

Tuition UT Austin saves $927
UT Austin
$41,070
UW
$41,997
Acceptance Rate UT Austin more selective
UT Austin
29.0%
UW
48.0%
Graduation Rate UT Austin higher
UT Austin
87%
UW
84%
Avg SAT Score UW higher
UT Austin
1370
UW
1380
Starting Salary UW higher
UT Austin
$68,500
UW
$73,200

Detailed Comparison

Metric UT Austin UW Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$41,070$41,997UT Austin
Tuition (In-State)$11,448$12,643UT Austin
Room & Board$12,280$14,697UT Austin
Acceptance Rate29.0%48.0%UT Austin
Graduation Rate87%84%UT Austin
Average SAT13701380UW
Student-Faculty Ratio17:121:1UT Austin
Enrollment52,38451,361-
Avg Financial Aid$14,990$17,490UW
Starting Salary$68,500$73,200UW
Endowment$44.9B$4.5BUT Austin
Campus Size431 acres703 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

UT Austin
$213,400
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
UW
$226,776
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: UT Austin = $153,440 | UW = $156,816. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

UT Austin Top Majors

BusinessEngineeringComputer ScienceBiologyCommunication

UW Top Majors

Computer ScienceEngineeringBiologyBusinessPsychology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
UT AustinUrban
UWUrban
Campus Size
UT Austin431 ac
UW703 ac
Athletics
UT AustinNCAA D1
UWNCAA D1
Region
UT AustinSouth
UWWest
Founded
UT Austin1883
UW1861
Enrollment
UT Austin52,384
UW51,361

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is UT Austin or UW harder to get into?+
UT Austin is more selective with an acceptance rate of 29.0% compared to 48.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, UT Austin or UW?+
At sticker price, UT Austin costs less over 4 years ($213,400 vs $226,776). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. UT Austin offers an average of $14,990/year in aid while UW offers $17,490/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for UT Austin and UW?+
The average SAT score at UT Austin is 1370 and at UW it is 1380. 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 UW graduates earn more?+
Graduates of UW have a higher average starting salary ($73,200 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 UW has 21:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do UT Austin and UW compare for campus life?+
UT Austin is located in Austin, Texas (urban setting) with a 431-acre campus. UW is in Seattle, Washington (urban setting) with 703 acres. UT Austin competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UW in NCAA D1.