How much does The University of Texas at Austin really cost?
A clear guide to the real cost: net price by income, tuition, scholarships and financial aid.
UT Austin is a public university in Austin, TX. In Texas, eligible students —even mixed-status— can receive state aid through the TASFA application, not just FAFSA.
What UT Austin really costs, by family income
Strategy: how to make the most of it
- With a balanced college list (safety, match and reach) and purposeful activities, getting in is very reachable.
- File FAFSA and the CSS Profile on time and compare offers from several universities before deciding.
- Most students graduate: prioritize fit and the major's payoff over prestige.
What UT Austin really looks at to admit (per its Common Data Set — it's not a secret)
With an admit rate near 29%, at UT Austin the challenge isn't money — it's getting in. The good news: UT Austin publishes in its Common Data Set what weighs in its decision. It's not a secret, it's a map — and few families read it.
What it DOES consider
- Course rigor
- GPA
- Test scores (SAT/ACT)
- Application essay
- Recommendation letters
- Activities & leadership
- Character & personal qualities
- Special talent or ability
- Being first-generation
- Work experience
- Volunteer work
- Class rank
- State of residence
- Region of the country
- Religious affiliation
What it does NOT consider
- ×Interview
- ×Alumni relation (legacy)
- ×Demonstrated interest
Stories that challenge the myth of UT Austin's cost
Students from immigrant, low-income and first-generation families have walked through these doors and gone far. These aren't made-up examples — they're real people, with a name and a source.
Matthew McConaughey graduated from UT Austin in 1993 with a degree in Radio-Television-Film. He went on to win the Academy Award for Best Actor and today teaches as a professor at his own alma mater.
Edgar Figueroa was born in Guatemala, raised by a single mother, and immigrated to the U.S. at age 14 as the first in his family to graduate. After serving in the Navy, he earned his mechanical engineering degree from UT Austin in 1994 and went on to become CEO of the Wi-Fi Alliance.
The plan: what to do by grade level
9th–10th grade
Build the base: challenging classes, strong GPA, deep activities and good habits.
11th grade
Strategy: SAT/ACT if needed, college list, early essays, scholarships and FAFSA/CSS Profile.
12th grade
Execution: deadlines, essays, letters, FAFSA/CSS Profile, applications and comparing offers.
If already applied
Understand the aid letters, compare net price and know whether to appeal.
Why are so many families surprised?
Because they look at the sticker price ($31,572/yr) and not the real net price after grants and aid. Understand first, then decide.
Want to understand what this means for your child?
In our free 6-Tips presentation we show you how to build a real strategy for admissions, scholarships and financial aid at U.S. universities.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to attend UT Austin?
It depends on your family's income. The sticker price (tuition and expenses) is $31,572, but the real —the net price, after grants and aid— is usually much lower. See the income-band table above.
Is UT Austin too expensive for a low-income family?
Not necessarily. The sticker price is $31,572, but the average net price for a low-income family (after grants and aid) is $12,972 per year. That's what the federal College Scorecard reports.
Are there Latino students at UT Austin?
About 25% of students are Hispanic/Latino.
Is it hard to get into UT Austin?
It admits about 29%, which makes it very selective.
Do students finish their degree at UT Austin?
About 88% graduate within 6 years.
Does this aid apply to mixed-status families or students without an SSN?
It depends on the university and state. Many public universities in California and Texas offer state aid to eligible students (AB 540 / Dream Act) who apply with the state application instead of FAFSA. Check each school's policy.
Sources & methodology
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), U.S. Department of Education / NCES (net price by income, admissions, cost, graduation, demographics).
- Common Data Set 2024-25 (section C7, admission factors).
- The university's official net price calculator.
Want to understand what this means for your child?
For families with high school students