UT Austin vs Texas Tech University | Rankings, Fees, Admissions & Career Outcomes (2025)

University of Texas vs Texas Tech University

The University of Texas at Austin, located in Austin, Texas, is a flagship public research university enrolling over 50,000 students. The school has a selective acceptance rate of about 29-30%, making admission highly competitive. The University of Texas is best known for its programs in Engineering, Business, Liberal Arts, and Law. The school has an average graduation rate of around 74-75% (4-year) or ~88% (6-year), while graduates of UT Austin enjoy early career salaries of approximately INR 45-50 lakhs annually (£38,000-42,000).

Texas Tech University, located in Lubbock, Texas, is a large public research university enrolling about 40,000-41,000 students. The school has a higher acceptance rate of roughly 70-71%, making admission significantly less competitive than UT Austin. The university is best known for its programs in Engineering, Agriculture, Business, and Health Sciences. The school’s average graduation rate is close to 67%, while graduates of Texas Tech enjoy early career wages of approximately INR 28-32 lakhs annually (£25,000-29,000).

Overview Comparison
Texas Tech UniversityUniversity of Texas
Collegedunia Score4.5 Out of 104.1 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 601 Times Higher Education 2026
# 731 QS World University 2026
# 491 Center for World University Rankings 2025
# 50 Times Higher Education 2026
# 68 QS World University 2026
# 36 Center for World University Rankings 2025
Subject Strength# 117 for Engineering by US News 2025
# 501 for Medicine by QS World University 2024
# 71 for Law by US News 2024
# 9 for Engineering by US News 2025
# 148 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 14 for Law by US News 2025
ProgramsUG Programs -103
PG Programs -62
UG Programs -80
PG Programs -83
Acceptance Rate71.0 %27.0 %
Exam ScoreIELTS-6.5
SAT-1070
TOEFL-79
IELTS-6.5
TOEFL-79
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   24696
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  18270
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 21852 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   44450
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  27216
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 17052 Per Year
placement (average package)

The average earnings for bachelors degree ranges from $24K to $111K for depending on the streams. The average earnings for masters degree ranges from $33K to $133K depending on the stream. 


QS Graduate Employability Rankings- #54;
Average Salary- 75,865 USD;
Top recruiters- UT Austin, Dell Inc., IBM Corp., Lockheed Martin Corp, Indeed Inc.;
Highest paying degrees- BBA (179,000 USD), MBA (165,000 USD), Executive MBA (155,000 USD), Masters in Science (107,000 USD)


application requirements

Submit official transcripts

Submit English language test scores

Submit letters of recommendation

Submit personal statement

Check program specific requirements

Submit official transcripts of all previous education

Submit English language proficiency test scores

Check program specific requirements

CollegeDunia Reviews8.0/10 Read 3 reviews8.1/10 Read 15 reviews

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 251 for Business by QS World University 2026
# 92 for Business by US News 2025
# 501 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 16 for Business by US News 2025
# 51 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 53 for Business by QS World University 2025
exam scoresDuolingo - 100/160IELTS - 7/9PTE - 60/90TOEFL - 100/120IELTS - 7.5/9TOEFL - 105/120
cost to studyTotal Cost (Tuition + Living) -18270Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -
documents required#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose
application datesDec 1, 2024 (Summer/Fall Priority Scholarship Deadline)
Jan 15, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Mar 26, 2026 (Decision Notification for Round 2)
Apr 1, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
May 7, 2026 (Decision Notification for Round 3)
General Facts Comparison
General FactsTexas Tech UniversityUniversity of Texas
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1923
1883
Student:Faculty Ratio22:1
18:1:1
Male:Female54% Male, 46% Female43% Male, 0% Female
Location Facts

The Texas tech university system consists of five institutions at 26 academic locations in 22 cities. The Lubbock campus is home to the main academic university, law school, and medical school (Health Sciences Center). It is one of two institutions (the other being UT Austin) in Texas to have a graduate school, law school, and medical school on its main campus.


Main Campus in central Austin; J. J. Pickle Research Campus in north Austin. The main campus has 150 building with its main visible feature as Beaux-Arts main Building. Some of the nearby areas are Cameron Road, Hyde Park, Mueller, Tarrytown, Downtown Austin


Library

The university libraries consists of the main library and the subject libraries like law library, architecture library etc. The libraries contain total of 2,094,423 volumes, 294 total guides, 129,671 guide views and 84,981 guide sessions. 


For more than 125 years, the University of Texas Libraries have committed to building one of the greatest library collections in the world. Maintaining more than 10 million volumes and providing access to the latest digital journals, databases and web resources, the Libraries collects and preserves the finest achievements of human knowledge in support of not only research and instruction needs, but also the exploration of ideas and intellectual innovation.


Campus Life

There are over 516 student clubs and organizations at Texas Tech. The Student Union Building, located centrally on campus, is the hub of daily student activity. It houses restaurants, coffee shops, a book store, meeting rooms, lecture halls, movie rooms, and study areas, as well as the offices and meeting rooms of several student organizations and the Student Government Association. Approximately 20% of students live on campus, and most students live on campus for at least a portion of their academic careers. Texas Tech's athletic teams are known as the Red Raiders with the exception of the women's basketball team, which is known as the Lady Raiders. Texas Tech competes in NCAA Division I FBS (formerly Division I-A) and is a member of the Big 12 Conference. The Carol of Lights is an annual event, sponsored by the Residence Halls Association, traditionally held the first Friday in December, to celebrate the holiday season. There are numerous such other events held on the campus. 


1,300+ student organizations, Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art, Harry Ransom Center, Texas Memorial Museum, Natural Science Center, UT Tower are all offered to students for indulging in their passion. There are over 10 dining halls within the campus. 


Hostel#Off campus (with family) - $3546
#On campus - $9153
#Off campus (not with family) - $9153
#Housing and Food - $17052
Famous Alumni

Demetrio B. Lakas, President of the Republic of Panama from 1969 to 1978.

Daniel I. J. Thornton, Governor of Colorado from 1951 to 1955

Donny Anderson, member of the Green Bay Packers 

folk rocker, John Denver

 Actor, Barry Corbin


482,000+ alumni; Matthew McConaughey (American actor); Owen Wilson (American Actor), Rex W. Tillerson (Former United States Secretary of State), Neil deGrasse Tyson (American astrophysicist), Lady Bird Johnson (Former First Lady of the United States)


City Life

The cost of living in Lubbock is very affordable. In 2021, Lubbock was voted the ninth-most affordable city in the United States. That's no mean feat. At nearly 8 percent below the national average, housing, transportation, and rent prices are more affordable than comparably sized U.S. cities. The difference in rent prices are negligible between the metro area and other parts of Lubbock, so housing seekers have more options and opportunity. One could expect around $635/month for a studio apartment; $726/month for a one-bedroom; $880/month for a two-bedroom; $1,272/month for a three-bedroom; and $1,546/month for a four-bedroom rental. The job market in Lubbock is a rising star among U.S. cities. With unemployment rates lower than the U.S. average, Lubbock expects nearly 40 percent job growth in the next 10 years. Not only is Lubbock great for startups, but there are also several high-paying, job-producing companies in Lubbock that keep residents employed.


The city bursts with an entrepreneurial spirit and has internationally renowned music, film and art scenes. The spring-fed waters of Barton and greenbelt trails make the city a perfect destination for outdoor creation. The unemployment rate of the city is 6.7 as of July 2020. Being one of the fastest-growing metros, it offers a great opportunities for students.


Weather
Comparison Notes

University of Texas at Austin vs Texas Tech University

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

The University of Texas at Austin is included among the top public universities nationally, and globally often in top 50-100, known for its leading programs in Engineering (especially Electrical, Mechanical, Computer Science), Business (McCombs), Liberal Arts, Law, and other disciplines. Texas Tech University is also a Carnegie R1 research university, strong regionally and in U.S. public rankings, especially in Agriculture, Engineering, Business, and Health Sciences, though it does not usually match UT Austin on a national/global prestige scale.

General Information

UT Austin is a large flagship public research university in Austin, offering a wide breadth of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, serving over 50,000 students. Texas Tech University is somewhat smaller (~40,000-41,000 total students), located in Lubbock, and offers a broad set of degrees with strong emphasis on applied research, agriculture, engineering, and student support services.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

UT Austin has a selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate around 29-30%. Texas Tech has a much more open admission process relatively, with an acceptance rate of about 70-71%, making it easier to enter compared to UT Austin.

Research Impact & Facilities

UT Austin is a very high research activity university (Carnegie R1), known for cutting-edge facilities, extensive research funding, top faculty, and leadership in areas including technology, social sciences, law, and public policy. Texas Tech is also R1, growing in its research output, especially in agriculture, engineering, health sciences, and has been improving its student support, facilities, and graduation rates (with investments like advising, success hubs).

Cost & Financial Aid

For international or out-of-state students, UT Austin’s tuition and fees are higher; for in-state students, it is significantly lower. Texas Tech’s tuition is more moderate, especially for in-state, making total cost lower on average. Both institutions provide financial aid, scholarships, and grants, though UT Austin’s competition for aid can be tougher given the demand and selectivity.

Career Destinations & Graduates’ Success

Graduates from UT Austin often go into high-earning fields such as engineering, business management, law, tech & startups, aided by Austin’s strong industry ecosystem. Early career salaries tend to be higher. Texas Tech graduates do well especially in regional opportunities, agriculture, engineering, health, and business fields; salaries tend to be good but generally somewhat lower on average compared to UT Austin. Texas Tech also shows steady growth in its outcomes with improved graduation and retention rates.