UT Arlington vs UT Dallas: A Data-Driven Comparison
Both universities offer accessible admission, with UT Arlington accepting 80.8% of applicants compared to UT Dallas's 84.7% acceptance rate. However, their academic outcomes differ significantly.
Cost and Value
UT Arlington costs less upfront, with in-state tuition of $11,728 versus UT Dallas's $14,564. The average net price shows a similar gap: $15,235 at Arlington compared to $17,435 at Dallas. Both schools maintain reasonable debt levels around $17,500-$18,000.
Academic Performance
UT Dallas demonstrates stronger academic metrics across key indicators. Its six-year graduation rate of 70.8% substantially exceeds Arlington's 56.5%. Student retention tells a similar story, with Dallas keeping 88.1% of students compared to Arlington's 72.9%. Despite having a higher student-faculty ratio (27:1 vs 23:1), Dallas students achieve better completion rates.
Outcomes and Earnings
UT Dallas graduates earn a median salary of $68,227 ten years post-graduation, outpacing Arlington graduates who earn $63,199. This $5,000 annual difference helps offset the higher initial costs over time.
Campus Experience
Arlington offers a larger campus community with 30,834 students and NCAA Division I athletics, providing big-school energy and competitive sports. Dallas maintains a more intimate environment with 21,317 students and Division III athletics, emphasizing academics over athletic spectacle.
Bottom Line
Students seeking affordability, big-campus atmosphere, and Division I sports should consider UT Arlington, while those prioritizing academic outcomes, higher retention rates, and stronger earning potential will find better value at UT Dallas.
Both universities offer accessible admission, with UT Arlington accepting 80.8% of applicants compared to UT Dallas's 84.7% acceptance rate. However, their academic outcomes differ significantly.
Cost and Value
UT Arlington costs less upfront, with in-state tuition of $11,728 versus UT Dallas's $14,564. The average net price shows a similar gap: $15,235 at Arlington compared to $17,435 at Dallas. Both schools maintain reasonable debt levels around $17,500-$18,000.
Academic Performance
UT Dallas demonstrates stronger academic metrics across key indicators. Its six-year graduation rate of 70.8% substantially exceeds Arlington's 56.5%. Student retention tells a similar story, with Dallas keeping 88.1% of students compared to Arlington's 72.9%. Despite having a higher student-faculty ratio (27:1 vs 23:1), Dallas students achieve better completion rates.
Outcomes and Earnings
UT Dallas graduates earn a median salary of $68,227 ten years post-graduation, outpacing Arlington graduates who earn $63,199. This $5,000 annual difference helps offset the higher initial costs over time.
Campus Experience
Arlington offers a larger campus community with 30,834 students and NCAA Division I athletics, providing big-school energy and competitive sports. Dallas maintains a more intimate environment with 21,317 students and Division III athletics, emphasizing academics over athletic spectacle.
Bottom Line
Students seeking affordability, big-campus atmosphere, and Division I sports should consider UT Arlington, while those prioritizing academic outcomes, higher retention rates, and stronger earning potential will find better value at UT Dallas.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| The University of Texas at Arlington | The University of Texas at Dallas | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 80.8% | 84.7% |
| SAT Average | 1,120 | 1,300 |
| Enrollment | 30,834 | 21,317 |
| In-State Tuition | $11,728 | $14,564 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $29,660 | $40,064 |
| Net Price | $15,235 | $17,435 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 56.5% | 70.8% |
| Retention Rate | 72.9% | 88.1% |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $63,199 | $68,227 |
| Median Debt | $17,527 | $18,000 |
Top Programs by Earnings
Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.
| The University of Texas at Arlington | The University of Texas at Dallas | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Earnings | Program | Earnings |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $72,515 | Computer Engineering. | $74,953 |
| Computer Engineering. | $71,225 | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $69,098 |
| Computer Science. | $69,897 | Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $67,324 |
| Industrial Engineering. | $67,202 | Mechanical Engineering. | $60,125 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $66,461 | Physics. | $57,318 |