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UT Austin vs CU-Boulder

Nestled in the heart of Texas and Colorado respectively, The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) and University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) stand as two prominent beacons of higher education. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence and offer a diverse range of programs, they also possess unique characteristics that set them apart. UT Austin boasts a higher acceptance rate, a larger student body, and a wider selection of undergraduate majors compared to CU Boulder. On the other hand, CU Boulder offers a more intimate learning environment, a stronger focus on sustainability, and a higher graduation rate. To help you make an informed decision about your academic journey, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into the key differences between these two esteemed universities. Explore the table to discover which institution better aligns with your aspirations and goals.
The University of Texas at Austin logo

The University of Texas at Austin

 		University of Colorado Boulder logo

University of Colorado Boulder

Overview

Location Austin, Texas Boulder, Colorado
Campus setting City: Large City: Midsize
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 96.0% 87.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 28.7% 79.6%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $75
Graduate: $65
Undergraduate: $50
Graduate: $60
SAT range 1230 - 1500 1170 - 1390
ACT range 27 - 33 25 - 31
Students submitting SAT score 56.0% 32.0%
Students submitting ACT score 26.0% 16.0%
Total number of applicants 66,077 54,756
Total number of admissions given out 18,994 43,576
Admitted students who chose to enroll 9,060 6,785
Yield rate 47.7% 15.6%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Not required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $29,788
Out of state: $59,032
In state: $29,725
Out of state: $55,543
Average net price $16,589 $22,532
Tuition
In state: $11,752
Out of state: $40,996
In state: $10,728
Out of state: $36,546
Room & board $12,768 $15,220
Available payment plans
  • Guaranteed tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Guaranteed tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

 51.0%
Average amount $12,725 		53.0%
Average amount $9,214
Students receiving federal student loan 28.0%
Average amount $4,961 		27.0%
Average amount $4,986
Students taking out private loans 1.0%
Average amount $16,366 		6.0%
Average amount $24,094

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students 40,916
Men 43.4% Women 56.6% 		30,886
Men 54.8% Women 45.2%
Graduate students 11,075
Men 49.5% Women 50.5% 		8,114
Men 57.8% Women 42.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Low
Out-of-state students 9.2% 48.8%
International students 9.1% 7.1%
Campus local/setting City: Large City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity 7,809 7,500
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Texas California New York New Jersey Illinois Colorado California Texas Illinois New York

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Engineering
  • Multidisciplinary Studies
  • Communication and Journalism
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Business
  • Engineering
  • Communication and Journalism
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Legal Profession
Students to faculty ratio 17:1 18:1
Institutional accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 87.8% 74.0%
Dropout rate 11.7% 8.6%
Transferred out N/A 15.9%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $130,952
  • Year 2: $131,707
  • Year 3: $149,763
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $122,716
  • Year 2: $97,959
  • Year 3: $131,523
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $115,909
  • Year 2: $120,124
  • Year 3: $127,068
Law (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $92,526
  • Year 2: $100,607
  • Year 3: $120,559
Engineering, Other (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $109,082
  • Year 2: $106,421
  • Year 3: $119,993
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $86,247
  • Year 2: $102,706
  • Year 3: $108,654
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $87,293
  • Year 2: $88,723
  • Year 3: $99,721
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $89,133
  • Year 2: $79,558
  • Year 3: $97,550
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $83,714
  • Year 2: $84,653
  • Year 3: $93,999
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $81,984
  • Year 2: $80,550
  • Year 3: $92,064
Engineering, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $105,752
  • Year 2: $116,679
  • Year 3: $121,033
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $97,071
  • Year 3: $118,373
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $93,907
  • Year 2: $94,408
  • Year 3: $108,458
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $85,254
  • Year 2: $89,641
  • Year 3: $97,860
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $76,200
  • Year 2: $75,706
  • Year 3: $92,272
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $87,191
  • Year 2: $80,503
  • Year 3: $87,258
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $74,023
  • Year 2: $75,204
  • Year 3: $86,676
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $69,804
  • Year 2: $75,921
  • Year 3: $85,563
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $75,633
  • Year 2: $83,177
  • Year 3: $85,039
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $68,440
  • Year 2: $71,957
  • Year 3: $83,132

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the main differences between UT Austin and CU Boulder?

    UT Austin is a large, public university located in the heart of Austin, Texas, known for its strong programs in engineering, business, and natural sciences. It has a more urban feel and a larger student body. CU Boulder, also a large public university, is situated in Boulder, Colorado, at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. It's renowned for its aerospace engineering, environmental science, and physics programs, and offers a strong emphasis on outdoor recreation and a more outdoorsy lifestyle.

  • Which university is more selective?

    UT Austin is generally more selective than CU Boulder. UT Austin's acceptance rate is typically lower, and it often requires higher standardized test scores and GPA for admission. However, both are competitive institutions, and admission depends on a variety of factors.

  • How do the academic reputations of UT Austin and CU Boulder compare?

    Both UT Austin and CU Boulder are highly regarded universities. UT Austin consistently ranks higher overall in national and global rankings, particularly in fields like engineering, business, and computer science. CU Boulder is also well-respected, especially for its programs in aerospace engineering, physics, and environmental sciences. The 'better' reputation depends on your specific field of study.

  • What is the campus environment like at each university?

    UT Austin has a vibrant, urban campus located in the state capital. The campus is large and bustling, with a strong sense of school spirit and a diverse student body. Austin itself is a thriving city with a strong music and tech scene. CU Boulder offers a more relaxed, outdoorsy campus environment. The campus is located near the Rocky Mountains, providing easy access to hiking, skiing, and other outdoor activities. Boulder is a smaller, more laid-back city known for its health-conscious lifestyle.

  • How do the costs of attending UT Austin and CU Boulder compare?

    The cost of attendance varies depending on residency status. Generally, UT Austin is more affordable for Texas residents, while CU Boulder is more affordable for Colorado residents. Out-of-state tuition at both universities is comparable, but living expenses in Austin may be slightly higher than in Boulder, depending on lifestyle choices.

  • What are the strengths of UT Austin's academic programs?

    UT Austin excels in a wide range of academic areas. Its Cockrell School of Engineering is nationally recognized, as is the McCombs School of Business. The university also has strong programs in natural sciences, computer science, law, and liberal arts. UT Austin is a research powerhouse, offering numerous opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in cutting-edge research.

  • What are the strengths of CU Boulder's academic programs?

    CU Boulder is particularly strong in aerospace engineering, physics, environmental science, and atmospheric science. The university has close ties to federal research labs, such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). CU Boulder also offers strong programs in business, journalism, and education.

  • What kind of student would thrive at UT Austin?

    A student who is ambitious, driven, and enjoys a large, diverse environment would thrive at UT Austin. Students who are interested in a wide range of academic and extracurricular activities, and who appreciate a vibrant city life, will find UT Austin a good fit.

  • What kind of student would thrive at CU Boulder?

    A student who loves the outdoors, values a more relaxed atmosphere, and is interested in science, engineering, or environmental studies would thrive at CU Boulder. Students who appreciate a strong sense of community and easy access to outdoor recreation will find CU Boulder a good fit.

  • What are the career opportunities like after graduating from UT Austin or CU Boulder?

    Both UT Austin and CU Boulder offer excellent career opportunities for their graduates. UT Austin's location in Austin, a major tech hub, provides numerous opportunities in the technology sector. CU Boulder's location near Denver and its strong programs in aerospace and environmental science provide opportunities in those fields. Both universities have strong alumni networks that can help graduates find jobs.

  • How do the student demographics compare between UT Austin and CU Boulder?

    UT Austin generally has a more diverse student body than CU Boulder. UT Austin has a larger percentage of students from underrepresented minority groups. CU Boulder's student body is predominantly white. Both universities attract students from across the United States and around the world.

  • What are some popular extracurricular activities at each university?

    UT Austin offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including student government, Greek life, performing arts, and sports clubs. Football is a major part of the UT Austin experience. CU Boulder also offers a variety of extracurricular activities, with a strong emphasis on outdoor recreation. Popular activities include hiking, skiing, snowboarding, and rock climbing. Both universities have active student organizations and clubs.

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