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!
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!
Leave a Reply