Texas A&M University-College Station vs. The University of Texas at Austin
Admission Difficulty: UT Austin is significantly more competitive with a 31.35% acceptance rate compared to Texas A&M's 62.65%, making A&M nearly twice as accessible for admission.
Cost and Value: UT Austin offers lower in-state tuition at $11,678 versus A&M's $13,099, though out-of-state students pay slightly more at UT ($42,778 vs. $40,328). UT Austin provides better overall value with a lower average net price of $19,678 compared to A&M's $20,924.
Academic Strengths: Both universities maintain similar student-faculty ratios (UT: 18:1, A&M: 19:1). UT Austin demonstrates stronger academic outcomes with an 87.60% six-year graduation rate and 96.12% retention rate versus A&M's 83.80% graduation rate and 94.25% retention. UT Austin is particularly strong in liberal arts, business, and engineering, while A&M excels in agriculture, engineering, and veterinary medicine.
Campus Experience: A&M offers a larger campus community with 59,099 students compared to UT's 42,100, creating different social strongs. A&M is known for its strong traditions and school spirit, while UT benefits from Austin's cultural attractions and music scene.
Outcomes: UT Austin graduates earn a median salary of $75,121 after ten years compared to A&M's $72,097. However, A&M students graduate with less debt ($17,804 vs. $20,500).
Students seeking a more selective academic environment and urban experience fit UT Austin better, while those preferring stronger school traditions and a tight-knit community culture would thrive at Texas A&M.
Admission Difficulty: UT Austin is significantly more competitive with a 31.35% acceptance rate compared to Texas A&M's 62.65%, making A&M nearly twice as accessible for admission.
Cost and Value: UT Austin offers lower in-state tuition at $11,678 versus A&M's $13,099, though out-of-state students pay slightly more at UT ($42,778 vs. $40,328). UT Austin provides better overall value with a lower average net price of $19,678 compared to A&M's $20,924.
Academic Strengths: Both universities maintain similar student-faculty ratios (UT: 18:1, A&M: 19:1). UT Austin demonstrates stronger academic outcomes with an 87.60% six-year graduation rate and 96.12% retention rate versus A&M's 83.80% graduation rate and 94.25% retention. UT Austin is particularly strong in liberal arts, business, and engineering, while A&M excels in agriculture, engineering, and veterinary medicine.
Campus Experience: A&M offers a larger campus community with 59,099 students compared to UT's 42,100, creating different social strongs. A&M is known for its strong traditions and school spirit, while UT benefits from Austin's cultural attractions and music scene.
Outcomes: UT Austin graduates earn a median salary of $75,121 after ten years compared to A&M's $72,097. However, A&M students graduate with less debt ($17,804 vs. $20,500).
Students seeking a more selective academic environment and urban experience fit UT Austin better, while those preferring stronger school traditions and a tight-knit community culture would thrive at Texas A&M.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Texas A & M University-College Station | The University of Texas at Austin | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 62.7% | 31.4% |
| SAT Average | 1,270 | 1,365 |
| Enrollment | 59,099 | 42,100 |
| In-State Tuition | $13,099 | $11,678 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $40,328 | $42,778 |
| Net Price | $20,924 | $19,678 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 83.8% | 87.6% |
| Retention Rate | 94.3% | 96.1% |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $72,097 | $75,121 |
| Median Debt | $17,804 | $20,500 |
Top Programs by Earnings
Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.
| Texas A & M University-College Station | The University of Texas at Austin | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Earnings | Program | Earnings |
| Petroleum Engineering. | $92,124 | Petroleum Engineering. | $88,723 |
| Marine Transportation. | $86,129 | Chemical Engineering. | $82,830 |
| Chemical Engineering. | $80,669 | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $80,550 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $77,062 | Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $79,558 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $77,024 | Business/Commerce, General. | $76,460 |