How large is the freshman class at UT Austin?

UT Austin's freshman class size reached a record high for Fall 2025, with approximately 9,900 first-time freshmen, an increase of over 7% from the previous year, amidst a surge in applications to over 90,000. This reflects high demand and tightening selectivity, with enrollment figures growing significantly in recent years as the university welcomes its largest classes ever.

What is freshman class size at UT Austin?

The freshman class includes 9,900 first-time college students, a jump of a little more than 7% compared to fall 2024. UT received 90,690 freshman applications for this year, an increase of nearly 25% over the last year and 51% since 2022.

What is the 90% rule at UT Austin?

The UT Austin 90% rule refers to Texas state law requiring UT Austin to reserve 90% of its freshman spots for Texas residents, creating a separate, more competitive applicant pool for non-residents. This mandate means most Texas applicants qualify for automatic admission (currently top 6%) if in the top of their high school class, while out-of-state students face significantly lower acceptance rates (around 10%) through holistic review, making it much harder to get in.
 

How big are the classes at UT Austin?

The student-faculty ratio at University of Texas--Austin is 18:1, and the school has 36.5 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students.

How many students are at UT 2025?

And coming in at Number 1: Fall 2025 marked a record- breaking year across the UT System. Enrollment climbed to an all-time high of 64,866 students, retention reached 85.5% and graduation rates continued to rise.

UT Austin | Where to STUDY 📚📖🤓 | #study

What is the 5% rule at UT Austin?

The UT Austin 5% Rule means Texas high school seniors graduating in the top 5% of their class are guaranteed automatic admission, a change from the previous 6% threshold, effective for students entering Fall 2026; this policy, stemming from Texas's "Top Ten Percent Law," fills 75% of resident spots, with the rest decided holistically, though even top-ranked students need competitive scores for high-demand majors.
 

Is it harder to get into UCLA or UT Austin?

It's generally harder to get into UCLA because it has a significantly lower acceptance rate (around 9%) compared to UT Austin (around 27%), making UCLA more selective overall, though UT Austin is very competitive, especially for popular majors like Computer Science or Engineering due to Texas's 90% in-state rule and rising applicant numbers. 

What is the 6% rule at UT?

The UT Austin Top 6% Rule guarantees automatic admission for eligible Texas residents who graduate in the top 6% of their high school class (this is changing to the top 5% for Fall 2026 applicants) under a state law promoting diversity, but it doesn't guarantee entry into specific competitive majors, which still require meeting additional requirements through holistic review. This rule, derived from the statewide Top 10% Law, allows UT Austin to fill 75% of its freshman class with auto-admit students, adjusting the percentage based on application volume. 

Is UT Austin academically rigorous?

Reinforced Academic Strength: Even for students with a strong GPA, top test scores validated their readiness for UT's rigorous coursework. Strengthened Applications for Selective Majors: Competitive programs—like McCombs Business, Cockrell Engineering, and Computer Science—are filled with high-achieving students.

What is the average class size at Austin college?

The college has an 11:1 student to faculty ratio and an average class size of fewer than 25 students.

Can a guy and girl share a dorm at UT Austin?

Yes, UT Austin, through its "Family & Friend Expanded Roommate Option," offers gender-inclusive housing in specific residence halls like Blanton, Duren, Dobie Twenty21, Jester East/West, San Jacinto, and Moore-Hill where students can live with roommates of any gender identity, a program started as a pilot but now a standard option in those halls. This allows for coed living arrangements in rooms or suites with private bathrooms, differing from traditional gender-separated floors.
 

Is 1490 a good SAT score for UT Austin?

Yes, a 1490 SAT score is excellent for UT Austin, placing you at the very top of their middle 50% range (1230-1490), making it a strong academic component for a competitive application, though holistic review means your essays, GPA, and extracurriculars are also crucial. 

How many UT freshmen live off campus?

During the Fall 2021 semester, 40% of the freshman class at The University of Texas at Austin had to live off campus. During the Fall 2021 semester, 40% of the freshman ... This isn't a new thing. They didn't back in 1997 when I was a Freshman either.

Is UT Austin an ivy now?

No, UT Austin is not part of the official Ivy League, but it is widely recognized as a "Public Ivy," a term for top public universities, and was recently included in Forbes' "New Ivies" list for its academic quality and selectivity. While the traditional Ivy League refers to eight specific private universities in the Northeast, UT Austin is considered in the same elite tier by many publications, making it an Ivy-caliber institution in terms of prestige and outcomes.
 

Does UT Austin require freshmen to live in dorms?

All students enrolled in The University of Texas at Austin are eligible to live in University-owned housing. Students are not required to live on campus and may choose to live on or off campus. Freshmen are encouraged to consider living in University residence halls.

How many freshmen get accepted to UT?

UT Austin Acceptance Rate (General)

UT Austin enrolled 19,417 first-year undergraduate students out of the 72,885 applications it received during the 2024-2025 college application cycle, making UT Austin's acceptance rate 26.6% in 2025. UT Austin has become a popular college for many students.

Is Austin safe to walk at night?

Austin's safety for night walking varies by area, generally safe downtown with police presence but can get rowdy (especially 6th Street), requiring street smarts; be wary of pickpockets and altercations, use ride-shares late, and avoid dark alleys, while residential areas often feel safer but might lack good lighting; common sense and staying aware of your surroundings are key, especially as a solo walker, with some residents advising against walking alone late at night in certain parts. 

Is UT Austin the Harvard of the South?

UT Austin isn't officially the "Harvard of the South," but it's often called that or a "Public Ivy" due to its strong academics, highly-ranked programs (especially Engineering & Business), national prestige (even being named a "New Ivy" by Forbes), and large, well-funded research environment, offering Ivy-caliber education at a more accessible public university cost, though it's huge and less selective than true Ivies.
 

What is the #1 party university?

For 2026, the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), is widely ranked as the #1 party college in the U.S., holding onto its top spot from the previous year in data compiled by Niche, followed closely by Florida State University and Tulane University, based on student surveys about nightlife, bars, Greek life, and campus culture.
 

Is a 1400 SAT score good for UT Austin?

Yes, a 1400 SAT score is a strong score for UT Austin, placing you well within the competitive range, especially for in-state applicants, though admission remains holistic and competitive, with higher scores (1470+) often preferred for out-of-state or top programs like Engineering. For Texas residents, a score of 1400 is very competitive and can be excellent, while for out-of-state students, it's good but aiming higher (closer to 1500) can significantly boost your chances, particularly if you're not auto-admitted. 

Is it better to EA or RD?

Neither Early Action (EA) nor Regular Decision (RD) is inherently "better"; they serve different student needs, with EA offering earlier results and potentially slightly better odds by showing strong interest, while RD provides more time to perfect applications and compare offers, making it better for those needing more prep or time to weigh options, though the RD pool can be more competitive at some schools. Your choice depends on your application strength, interest in the school, and financial needs. 

Is UT Austin hard to get into?

Getting into UT Austin is very difficult, with a recent acceptance rate around 27-29% overall, making it highly selective, especially for popular majors like Engineering or Business, though Texas residents in the top 6% of their high school class get automatic admission to the university (not necessarily their major). Successful applicants need exceptional grades, high test scores (SAT ~1355, ACT ~29-34), compelling essays, and significant extracurricular involvement demonstrating leadership and passion for their chosen field, requiring a strong holistic profile beyond just stats. 

Is UT Austin the richest university?

UT Austin has the third highest endowment of any university in the country, public or private. Actually, it is possible that neither UT nor A&M include the PUF in the tally of their individual system endowments. So total Tx higher education endowment may be $48B for UT system, $19B for A&M, plus ~$33B for the PUF.

Why are people moving from LA to Austin?

A: To paraphrase a long-ago politico, “It's the economy.” A stronger jobs market, overall lower cost of living, and more affordable housing market are fueling the exodus from California to Texas.

Is smu better than UT Austin?

When comparing UT Austin and SMU, there are several factors to consider. Academics: Both UT Austin and SMU offer strong academic programs, but UT generally has a higher overall ranking and a broader range of disciplines. However, the specific strength of the programs you're interested in should be your primary concern.