UT Dallas vs The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)

Nestled in the vibrant cities of Dallas and San Antonio, The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) and The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) stand as prominent institutions of higher learning, each offering unique educational experiences. While both universities share the esteemed reputation of the University of Texas System, they possess distinct characteristics that cater to diverse student aspirations. UTD boasts a lower acceptance rate, indicating its highly selective admissions process, while UTSA welcomes a broader range of applicants. In terms of academic offerings, UTD excels in engineering and computer science, while UTSA shines in business and healthcare. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further distinctions, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and additional factors that will help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	The University of Texas at Dallas	The University of Texas at San Antonio
Overview
Location	Richardson, Texas	San Antonio, Texas
Campus setting	City: Midsize	City: Large
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	88.0%	78.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	87.2%	90.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $50
SAT range	N/A	1020 - 1220
ACT range	N/A	18 - 26
Students submitting SAT score		51.0%
Students submitting ACT score		11.0%
Total number of applicants	18,838	21,726
Total number of admissions given out	16,429	19,662
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,042	5,512
Yield rate	24.6%	28.0%
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	Required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $32,526 Out of state: $57,738	In state: $25,631 Out of state: $37,928
Average net price	$12,924	$11,013
Tuition	In state: $14,564 Out of state: $39,776	In state: $6,237 Out of state: $18,534
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,970 Meal plan: $4,172	Room/dormitory: $6,217 Meal plan: $4,147
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	66.0% Average amount $15,140	81.0% Average amount $8,403
Students receiving federal student loan	24.0% Average amount $5,079	45.0% Average amount $5,018
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $15,398	3.0% Average amount $11,519

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	21,446 Men 56.6% Women 43.4%	29,801 Men 47.8% Women 52.2%
Graduate students	8,250 Men 55.8% Women 44.2%	4,933 Men 44.2% Women 55.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	6.0%	1.5%
International students	16.5%	2.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	5,543	4,395
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Texas California Illinois North Carolina Louisiana	Texas California Colorado Illinois Florida

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Computer and Information Science Engineering Biological and Biomedical Sciences Health Professions	Health Professions Education Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Biological and Biomedical Sciences Engineering
Students to faculty ratio	26:1	26:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	71.7%	51.0%
Dropout rate	10.7%	22.3%
Transferred out	15.6%	23.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $83,371 Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $106,143 Computer Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $103,193 Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $103,360 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $92,385 Year 2: $94,674 Year 3: $103,273 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $77,107 Year 2: $81,333 Year 3: $94,531 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,113 Year 2: $74,953 Year 3: $84,024 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $83,036 Year 2: $75,518 Year 3: $83,026 Marketing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $52,533 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $79,085 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,146 Year 2: $69,098 Year 3: $78,335 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,488 Year 2: $67,324 Year 3: $77,437 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $61,095 Year 2: $62,863 Year 3: $75,842	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,168 Year 2: $74,786 Year 3: $83,652 Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,254 Year 2: $61,218 Year 3: $78,030 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,211 Year 2: $60,264 Year 3: $73,023 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $57,590 Year 2: $63,180 Year 3: $70,727 Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,484 Year 2: $57,860 Year 3: $69,865 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $72,470 Year 2: $64,493 Year 3: $69,652 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,474 Year 2: $62,734 Year 3: $69,012 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,646 Year 2: $60,771 Year 3: $66,662 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,677 Year 2: $59,485 Year 3: $66,389 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,900 Year 2: $54,671 Year 3: $65,990

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between UT Dallas and UT San Antonio?

UT Dallas (UTD) is a younger, more STEM-focused institution known for its strong engineering, computer science, and business programs. It has a growing research profile and a more suburban campus environment. UT San Antonio (UTSA) is a larger, more comprehensive university with a broader range of programs, including strong offerings in architecture, education, and health professions. It has a more diverse student body and a more urban campus setting.
Which university is better for STEM fields like engineering and computer science?

UT Dallas generally has a stronger reputation and more focused resources in STEM fields, particularly in engineering and computer science. Its Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science is highly regarded. While UTSA also offers these programs, UTD tends to be more competitive and research-oriented in these areas.
How do the campus environments differ between UT Dallas and UT San Antonio?

UT Dallas has a more suburban campus located in Richardson, a suburb of Dallas. The campus is modern and continues to expand. UT San Antonio has a more urban campus located in San Antonio, offering students access to the city's cultural attractions and job opportunities. UTSA's campus is larger and more spread out.
What is the cost of attendance like at UT Dallas compared to UT San Antonio?

The cost of attendance can vary depending on residency status and program. Generally, UT Dallas and UT San Antonio have similar tuition rates for Texas residents. However, UT Dallas may have slightly higher overall costs due to factors like housing and fees. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee schedules.
Which university has a more diverse student body?

UT San Antonio generally has a more diverse student body, reflecting the demographics of the city of San Antonio. While UT Dallas is also diverse, UTSA tends to have a higher percentage of Hispanic/Latino students.
How do the research opportunities compare between UT Dallas and UT San Antonio?

UT Dallas is a growing research university with increasing funding and opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in research. UTSA is also a research university, but UTD generally has a stronger emphasis on research in STEM fields. Both universities offer research opportunities across various disciplines.
Which university is better for students interested in business programs?

UT Dallas has a well-regarded Naveen Jindal School of Management, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate business programs. UTSA also has a business school, but UTD's program is generally considered more competitive and has a stronger national reputation.
What are the admission requirements like for UT Dallas and UT San Antonio?

UT Dallas generally has more competitive admission requirements than UT San Antonio. UTD typically requires higher SAT/ACT scores and a stronger academic record. UTSA has a broader admission policy, making it accessible to a wider range of students. Check each university's website for specific admission requirements and deadlines.
Which university is better for students interested in architecture?

UT San Antonio has a well-established architecture program. UT Dallas does not offer a dedicated architecture program.
What kind of student life and extracurricular activities are available at each university?

Both UT Dallas and UT San Antonio offer a variety of student organizations, clubs, and activities. UT Dallas has a growing campus life with more on-campus housing options and student events. UT San Antonio, being located in a major city, offers students access to a wider range of cultural and entertainment opportunities. Both universities have active student government associations and offer intramural sports and recreational activities.
How do the career services and job placement rates compare?

Both UT Dallas and UT San Antonio offer career services to help students with internships, job searches, and career development. UT Dallas, with its strong ties to the tech industry in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, may offer more opportunities in STEM fields. UTSA, located in San Antonio, provides access to jobs in various sectors, including healthcare, government, and business. Job placement rates vary by program, so it's best to research specific departments.
Which university is closer to major Texas cities?

UT Dallas is located in Richardson, a suburb of Dallas, providing easy access to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. UT San Antonio is located in San Antonio, which is a major city in its own right. Both cities offer a wide range of cultural, entertainment, and job opportunities. Dallas and San Antonio are approximately a 4-hour drive apart.

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