University of Texas at Austin vs Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt is more selective with an acceptance rate of 5.6% compared to 29.0%. 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 $327,464). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. UT Austin offers an average of $14,990/year in aid while Vanderbilt offers $47,200/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.

The average SAT score at UT Austin is 1370 and at Vanderbilt it is 1520. 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 Vanderbilt have a higher average starting salary ($76,800 vs $68,500). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.

UT Austin has a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio while Vanderbilt has 7:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.

UT Austin is located in Austin, Texas (urban setting) with a 431-acre campus. Vanderbilt is in Nashville, Tennessee (urban setting) with 330 acres. UT Austin competes in NCAA D1 athletics and Vanderbilt in NCAA D1.