Rachel Kapelke-Dale

UT Austin Admissions: The SAT, ACT Scores and GPA You Need to Get In

UT Austin Admissions - image by Magoosh

Want to help keep Austin weird? If you’re also looking for a major research institution, a school with more than 50,000 students, and a “public Ivy,” UT Austin just may be your cup of tea. The first college to host a presidential library (LBJ all the way), a major competitor in Division I sports, and alumni that include Matthew McConaughey and Laura Bush (the only time those two names have ever been linked), UT has a lot of bragging rights. Here’s what you need to know about UT Austin admissions, including how to get into UT Austin, UT Austin SAT scores, UT Austin ACT scores, and much more!

“I love everything about my university, University of Texas at Austin. The location is very convenient – around local and chain restaurants, bus stops, shopping areas, and nightlife. The campus is beautiful and is very safe. Austin is a beautiful city with so much to do – let’s just say you will NEVER be bored. Whether it’s kayaking, partying, hiking, or just roaming around the city, there is always something to do when you aren’t studying. The Longhorn spirit at UT is overwhelming and extraordinary. I always look forward to football seasons because it’s the best time of the year! I love the support that the students show for all our athletic teams. UT is overall an exceptional choice for undergrad. Everyone falls in love with the culture and the burnt orange pride.” — UT Austin59805, AdmitSee

Here’s an overview of UT Austin’s stats.

UT Austin at a Glance

UT Austin SAT Scores (middle 50%) 1230-1480
UT Austin ACT Scores (middle 50%) 27-33
UT Austin admissions rate 32% overall: 42% (in-state), 15% (out-of-state)
UT Austin GPA average N/A; 99% were in the top 50% of their graduating class

UT Austin SAT Scores

So the middle 50% UT Austin SAT scores were 1230-1480, huh? As with many state schools, it’s not quite that simple. First of all, let’s take a look at that breakdown.

Math (middle 50%) 610-760
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (middle 50%) 620-720

One big factor to take into consideration is where you’re from. Texas residents, you guys have the upper hand here, for sure. If your grades are high enough, your test scores don’t matter (and this skews the test scores above). Basically, if you’re in the top 6% of your class (for 2021/2022 admissions), you are automatically admitted to UT Austin. That’s why, historically, these stats are lower for Texas students, as they were last year:

  • Texas students (automatically admitted): 1150-1400
  • Texas students (not automatically admitted): 1210-1420
  • Out-of-state students: 1290-1460
  • International students: 1260-1410

What’s the takeaway from this? The numbers in the table above are slightly low because they include students who were admitted automatically and whose scores weren’t a factor in their admission.

In other words? The higher, the better!

UT Austin ACT Scores

Can you take the ACT instead of the SAT if you want to go to UT Austin? Definitely—the university doesn’t prefer one test over another, so take the test and submit the scores that show off your skills.

What are you aiming for, score-wise? Here’s the UT Austin ACT score breakdown.

English 25-35
Math 26-33
Reading N/A
Science N/A
Composite 27-33

The caveat with these scores is the same as with the SAT scores above. In-state and automatically admitted students lower the averages slightly, so if you’re not a Texan (yet) or you don’t have a GPA in the top 6% of your graduating class, aim higher. Here’s the UT Austin ACT breakdown.

  • Texas students (automatically admitted): 25-33
  • Texas students (not automatically admitted): 28-33
  • Out-of-state students: 30-34
  • International students: 28-33

UT Austin Acceptance Rate

UT Austin’s acceptance rate varies depending on the geographic location of the student; overall, it was 32%. In-state applicants had a 42% admission rate. Out-of-state applicants had a 15% admissions rate.

UT Austin GPA Average

The stats from the UT Austin admissions office focus on class rank rather than GPA. 87% of students joining the UT Austin last year graduated in the top 10 percent of their high school class, and 96 percent graduated in the top quarter. That first number may be slightly skewed by the automatic admission process, but the second number gives you a good idea of what to aim for.

How to get into UT Austin if your GPA’s lower than the UT Austin GPA average? Ace the classes you can before applying but know that there’s only so much in your control. Knock those factors you can control out of the park: letters of recommendation, essays–and, of course, test scores!

UT Austin Freshman Profile

Do only Texans have the chance to be Longhorns? Nope, not by a long shot. 91.9% of students in the class of 2024 are Texas residents…but remember that UT is a huge school! The 6.4% of students coming from out of state actually ends up being hundreds of students, which is more than a many colleges’ entire freshman class! (The remaining 1.6% of students are international, math people, so you can exhale!)

There’s definitely a feminine bent to the entering class, with around 60% of it comprised of women and 40% men. Take that for what it’s worth (and remember that there are thousands and thousands of students!)

FAQ

I don’t like [sports, Greek life, big schools]. Is UT Austin right for me?
In a school of 50,000+ students, you’re going to find a lot of people who also don’t like sports and/or Greek life. On the other hand, many social events can center on these institutions, so it is probably worth visiting the campus on a weekend to see if it’s right for you.

But if big schools aren’t your thing…UT Austin is probably not for you.

Common App?
Sorry. On the other hand, UT Austin accepts both Apply Texas and the Coalition Application, so hopefully you’ll be able to get more than a single bird with one stone.

How to Get Into UT Austin

So how to get into UT Austin? UT Austin admissions can seem incredibly confusing, particularly as numbers change depending on your class rank and your residency status. Still, the school’s reputation as a renowned research institution make it a consistently popular choice! If UT Austin is your dream school, get your test scores within the UT Austin SAT score range (or the UT Austin ACT score range), polish up your applications, and apply! Good luck!

Author

  • Rachel Kapelke-Dale

    Rachel is a Magoosh Content Creator. She writes and updates content on our High School and GRE Blogs to ensure students are equipped with the best information during their test prep journey. As a test-prep instructor for more than five years in there different countries, Rachel has helped students around the world prepare for various standardized tests, including the SAT, ACT, TOEFL, GRE, and GMAT, and she is one of the authors of our Magoosh ACT Prep Book. Rachel has a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature from Brown University, an MA in Cinematography from the Université de Paris VII, and a Ph.D. in Film Studies from University College London. For over a decade, Rachel has honed her craft as a fiction and memoir writer and public speaker. Her novel, THE BALLERINAS, is forthcoming in December 2021 from St. Martin’s Press, while her memoir, GRADUATES IN WONDERLAND, co-written with Jessica Pan, was published in 2014 by Penguin Random House. Her work has appeared in over a dozen online and print publications, including Vanity Fair Hollywood. When she isn’t strategically stringing words together at Magoosh, you can find Rachel riding horses or with her nose in a book. Join her on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook!

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