Is UT Austin worth it?

Yes, UT Austin is widely considered worth it for its strong academics, high return on investment (ROI), prime location in a vibrant city, and extensive alumni network, especially for in-state students seeking a top-tier education without the hefty price tag of private schools. Its value comes from exceptional programs (many top-10 nationally), affordability for Texans, powerful career opportunities, and the dynamic Austin environment.

What is the 90% rule at UT Austin?

The "UT Austin 90 rule" refers to the state law requiring University of Texas at Austin to reserve about 90% of its freshman spots for Texas residents, with the remaining 10% for out-of-state/international students, making it harder for non-residents to get in. For in-state students, a separate rule, the Top 10 Percent Law, guarantees automatic admission to the top percentage of their high school class, a threshold UT Austin sets annually (currently the top 5% for Fall 2026, previously 6%) to meet the 90% residency requirement and the 75% auto-admit target for residents.
 

What are the cons of UT Austin?

Because UT is such a large school, everyone cannot be accepted into a specific major. Instead of most medium-sized schools that allow you to change your major at any time, UT makes their students apply to a new major.

What is the 5% rule at UT Austin?

The UT Austin 5% rule is a change to the university's automatic admission policy, requiring Texas high school students to rank in the top 5% of their graduating class for guaranteed entry, down from the previous 6%, starting with the Fall 2026 freshman class due to record application numbers. This policy, rooted in Texas's "Top Ten Percent Law," allows UT to fill 75% of its Texas resident spots with top-ranked students, while the remaining 25% are admitted through a holistic review.
 

What is the 6% rule at UT?

UT Austin's "Top 6% Rule" is a Texas state law provision that guarantees automatic admission for Texas residents who graduate in the top 6% of their high school class, though this is changing to the top 5% for students applying for Fall 2026; it ensures a significant portion of UT's in-state students come from diverse Texas high schools, but it doesn't guarantee entry to specific competitive majors, only to the university itself.
 

Why you should NOT go to UT Austin! (*definitely NOT clickbait*)

Is 1480 a good SAT score for UT Austin?

Yes, a 1480 SAT score is a very good score for UT Austin, placing you at or above the middle 50% of admitted students and giving you a strong chance, especially within competitive programs. While the middle 50% range is often cited as 1230-1490 (or 1230-1480), a 1480 is at the top end of that range, making you a highly competitive applicant alongside strong grades and essays. 

Is UT Austin hard to get into?

Getting into the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) is very difficult, with a recent acceptance rate around 27-29% and high selectivity, especially for out-of-state students or competitive majors like Computer Science, requiring strong academics (high GPA, test scores) and exceptional extracurriculars, leadership, and compelling essays. Texas residents in the top 6% of their high school class get automatic admission (though not always to their first-choice major), but everyone else faces a highly competitive holistic review process. 

How many people drop out of UT Austin?

First-Time / Full-Time UT Austin Drop Out Rates

1132 first-time / full-time students or 16% did not complete their degree within eight years. Of those who did not finish: 28 are still enrolled.

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

Yes, UT Austin offers gender-inclusive housing through its "Family and Friend Expanded Roommate Option," allowing students to room with any other student regardless of gender in specific residence halls like Blanton, Duren, and Dobie, as part of a program to support diverse living arrangements.
 

Is a 1400 SAT score good for UT Austin?

Yes, a 1400 SAT score is a very good score for UT Austin, placing you well within or above the typical range for admitted students, especially if you are a Texas resident or applying for less competitive programs; for highly competitive majors (like Engineering or CS) or for out-of-state/international applicants, it's strong but you'll need exceptional essays and extracurriculars to stand out against scores closer to the 1500+ range, according to sources from Next Admit and PrepScholar. 

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., according to Niche data, holding onto the top spot from the previous year, followed closely by institutions like Florida State University and Tulane University, with rankings based on student surveys and campus party scenes. Other strong contenders often mentioned include the University of Alabama, University of Wisconsin, and University of Southern California (USC). 

Is UT Austin an ivy now?

No, UT Austin is not an official Ivy League school, which are eight specific private universities in the Northeast, but it is widely recognized as a "Public Ivy" and was recently named a "New Ivy" by Forbes, a designation for top public and private universities producing highly-regarded graduates for employers, highlighting its prestige and academic strength.
 

What is Dirty 6 in Austin?

"Dirty Sixth" (or Dirty 6th) refers to the historic, notoriously wild stretch of East 6th Street in downtown Austin, Texas, known for its intense nightlife, cheap drinks, live music, rowdy crowds, and numerous dive bars, creating a chaotic, party-centric atmosphere similar to a mini-Bourbon Street, attracting younger crowds and large events like SXSW.
 

What majors is UT Austin good for?

The most popular majors at The University of Texas--Austin include: Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Engineering; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Social Sciences; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Health Professions and Related Programs; ...

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 first come first serve?

The University of Austin offers four-year Bachelor of Arts degrees in Liberal Studies via full-time enrollment at our downtown Austin, Texas campus. *Limited spots are reserved for deposited students on a first-come, first-served basis.

What is the most LGBT friendly college?

Top LGBTQ+-friendly colleges often recognized for strong support include Ithaca College, Rutgers University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), and University of Maryland (College Park), with many liberal arts colleges like Oberlin, Carleton, and Wesleyan also highly rated for their inclusive environments and resources like LGBTQ+ Centers, mentorship, and supportive policies. Rankings vary, but consistently highlighted schools offer robust campus life, advocacy, and inclusive housing options. 

Is it cheaper to live on campus or in a dorm?

It's not always cheaper to live on campus or in a dorm; on-campus living often bundles costs like utilities and meals, making budgeting easier and sometimes cheaper overall, especially in expensive cities or with good financial aid, while off-campus housing can be cheaper if shared or in low-cost areas, but requires managing separate expenses like food, utilities, and furniture, plus deposits, with location and school type being major factors. 

Where do most UT Austin students come from?

UT Austin is also unique in that 90% of the undergraduate population comes from Texas high schools. While the Hispanic community has long and historical roots in Texas, new census data now reports Hispanics to now be the largest demographic group in the state.

What is the #1 hardest college to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

How many kids get deferred from UT Austin?

UT Austin received a record 91,000 freshman applicants for the Fall 2025 semester. 94.5% of those were deferred. Students were promised an admissions decision by Jan. 15, but only 5,000 students — about 5.5% of applicants — received decisions by then.

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's the hardest school to get into in Texas?

• #1 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in Texas. Rice University. ...
• #2 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in Texas. Trinity University. ...
• #3 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in Texas. University of Texas - Austin. ...
• Take the College Quiz. ...
• University of Houston-Clear Lake. ...
• Southwestern University. ...
• LeTourneau University. ...
• Texas Christian University.

What is the UT Austin culture like?

UT Austin is a community that welcomes a variety of ideas, people and passions. There are many resources available to support students from all backgrounds and walks of life.