Looking for a major research university with electric school spirit, a uniquely blended tech-and-arts campus and city, and seriously impressive alumni outcomes? It’s a tall order, but the University of Texas at Austin checks all three with style. The only problem is, the word is officially out about all of UT Austin’s amazing offerings. And this year, interest surged, yet again.
If you’re wondering, the numbers confirm it. UT Austin reported a record 90,690 freshman applications for Fall 2025, up 24% year over year and up 51% since 2022. The entering class is ~9,900 students, the largest in UT’s history.
Translation: demand is at an all-time high, and selectivity keeps tightening.
Why so competitive? Three big forces:
- State auto-admit law fills most in-state seats by class rank.
- Testing is back: UT requires SAT or ACT for Fall 2025 applicants.
- Soaring interest in Austin’s economy, internships, and undergraduate research opportunities results in record app volume.
But what does it all mean for you? Let’s unpack what the acceptance rate really means, and how to read it for your application strategy.
UT Austin at a glance
Let’s get our bearings. What should prospective students know about the University of Texas at Austin? Here are the basics.
- Campus & location: Urban flagship campus in Austin, Texas.
- Size: ~55,000 total students; ~44,000 undergrads (Fall 2025).
- Application timeline: Early Action: Oct 15, Regular: Dec 1.
- Essays: Common App personal essay + UT short answers (varies by major/honors).
- Testing: SAT or ACT required for Fall 2025 entrants. Official scores must be sent.
- Automatic admission (Texas residents): By law, 75% of Texas resident admits are auto-admitted by class-rank threshold (historically top 6%); the remaining ~25% of Texas offers are holistic.
- Special programs: Honors (e.g., Plan II, Turing, Canfield BHP), CAP (Coordinated Admission Program) pathway via select UT System campuses.
Want to see more? Check out this in-depth virtual campus tour to see if you connect with UT Austin’s community vibe:
The UT Austin acceptance rate
Now, let’s take a closer look at the competition you’re up against as an applicant.
First, a reality check on “one number”
UT doesn’t headline a single, all-majors acceptance rate each year on its website. Why? Because Texas law requires UT to fill 75% of Texas resident offers via auto-admit rank, and major placement is competitive.
In practice, your odds depend heavily on residency, class rank, and intended major (with programs like Engineering, Business, and CS among the most selective for holistic admits).
What the official data does show
- Applications keep climbing: 90,690 freshman apps for Fall 2025 (+24% YoY).
- Class size rose to ~9,900 (Fall 2025), +7.5% year over year. (Yield management matters.)
- Testing requirement returned for the 2025 cycle, which can shift admit patterns (e.g., clearer comparative metrics alongside GPA and rank).
Recent years’ trend (how selectivity tightened)
Here’s what we do know: over the last several cycles, UT’s selectivity has trended tighter as applications outpaced capacity. Official UT releases document the application surge and enrollment ceilings; combined with the statutory 75% auto-admit cap for Texas resident admits, the result is increasing competition for the finite share of holistic seats, especially in impacted majors.
Bottom line: Even without a single universal “admit rate,” official data confirms rising demand and stable class size. For students outside auto-admit (or targeting impacted majors), the effective admit rate is far lower than any overall number suggests.
How to build a successful UT Austin application
If you have your sights set on Texas, then it’s time to buckle down. Your best college application won’t happen overnight!
1) Know where you stand on rank (and what it does and doesn’t guarantee).
If you’re a Texas resident and meet the auto-admit threshold, you’re admitted to the university, not automatically to your first-choice major. Highly selective colleges within UT admit by fit and preparation. Have a thoughtful major strategy (first and second choice) that aligns with your transcript.
Based on recent cycles and internal data, the most selective majors at UT include:
- Computer Science (College of Natural Sciences)
- Business Honors + Canfield BHP (McCombs)
- Engineering Honors (Cockrell School)
- Psychology and Biology (CNS, due to pre-med interest)
- Design and Architecture (due to limited capacity + portfolio review)
For these majors, admission is competitive even for in-state, top-ranking students. If you’re applying, use both major choices strategically and showcase preparation in your essays and transcript.
2) Treat the SAT/ACT as a core component… because it is.
For Class of 2029 applicants, scores are required. Build a test plan that leaves time for a retake before deadlines, and send official scores (SAT 6882; ACT 4240). If you’re aiming for math-heavy majors, verify calculus readiness via scores or the UTMA and show rigorous math on your transcript.
There’s no published minimum, but top programs often see middle 50% SAT scores around 1350–1530 and ACT scores from 30–35.
3) Lead with rigor + sustained impact.
Across colleges, UT reads for course rigor, grades by subject, and multi-year impact in activities. Prioritize depth (leadership, research, competition, work, service) tied to your intended field. Then connect the dots in your short answers.
4) Nail the short answers (they carry real weight).
Use the UT short answers to articulate fit: why this college within UT, how you’ve prepared (academically and experientially), and what you’ll build in Austin. Keep tone direct and evidence-based. Show specifics (labs, studios, centers, courses, Austin-based opportunities).
5) Build a smart college list around UT.
Because holistic slots can be scarce (especially OOS and in impacted majors), craft a balanced list (reach/target/safety) and track deadlines carefully.
Can you get into UT without being auto-admitted? Yes, but it’s much more competitive, so make sure your application shows exceptional academic rigor, testing, and essay fit.
Life at UT Austin
What’s all this hard work for? What’s the day-to-day life of a student like?
City as classroom.
Austin’s tech, creative, and policy ecosystems make internships feel baked into campus life. Think startups along South Congress, state agencies near the Capitol, and major employers recruiting at career fairs.
Housing & community.
With enrollment highs, UT is investing in added capacity and leaning into learning communities and honors cohorts to make a big campus feel small.
Affordability.
The Texas Advance Commitment now fully covers tuition for Texas families up to $100,000 AGI (partial up to $125,000), contributing to access and the application surge.
Your college future: Texas and beyond
UT Austin is a public powerhouse in a booming city: big league research, elite programs, and a campus that turns ambition into action. But with record applications, a required SAT/ACT, and major-level selectivity, it’s no cake walk. Success comes from planning the right strategy, not just chasing a headline admit rate.
If UT is on your list for the Class of 2029:
- Lock your testing plan and submit official scores on time.
- Align course rigor + activities to your target college/major.
- Write short answers that fit with Austin’s opportunities.
- Keep a balanced college list, so you have multiple great options by February.
Want a second set of eyes on your UT strategy?
From major selection, essay angles, and testing timeline, Empowerly’s advisors can help you turn this into an admit-ready plan. Book a free consultation to learn more about how we can support your dreams in becoming a reality.
