UT Austin vs Baylor

When it comes to higher education in Texas, two prominent universities that often draw comparisons are The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) and Baylor University. While both institutions offer a wide range of academic programs and a vibrant campus life, they differ in several key aspects. UT Austin, a public research university, boasts a larger student body and a higher acceptance rate compared to Baylor, a private Christian university. UT Austin is renowned for its strong engineering, business, and natural sciences programs, while Baylor excels in fields such as nursing, education, and music. Additionally, the student demographics and graduation rates vary between the two universities, making it essential for prospective students to delve into the comparison table provided on this page to find the institution that best aligns with their academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Baylor University	The University of Texas at Austin
Overview
Location	Waco, Texas	Austin, Texas
Campus setting	City: Midsize	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	88.0%	96.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation	Baptist

Admission
Acceptance rate	56.7%	28.7%
Application fees	$50	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $65
SAT range	1160 - 1350	1230 - 1500
ACT range	25 - 32	27 - 33
Students submitting SAT score	39.0%	56.0%
Students submitting ACT score	31.0%	26.0%
Total number of applicants	36,588	66,077
Total number of admissions given out	20,741	18,994
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,271	9,060
Yield rate	20.6%	47.7%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$68,150	In state: $29,788 Out of state: $59,032
Average net price	$46,039	$16,589
Tuition	$50,232	In state: $11,752 Out of state: $40,996
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,200 Meal plan: $6,074	$12,768
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	96.0% Average amount $21,460	51.0% Average amount $12,725
Students receiving federal student loan	38.0% Average amount $5,411	28.0% Average amount $4,961
Students taking out private loans	12.0% Average amount $26,787	1.0% Average amount $16,366

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	15,191 Men 39.8% Women 60.2%	40,916 Men 43.4% Women 56.6%
Graduate students	5,435 Men 34.4% Women 65.6%	11,075 Men 49.5% Women 50.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	43.4%	9.2%
International students	4.2%	9.1%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	5,321	7,809
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Texas California Colorado Illinois Washington	Texas California New York New Jersey Illinois

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Public Administration and Social Service Legal Profession Education	Business Engineering Multidisciplinary Studies Communication and Journalism Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	16:1	17:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	81.6%	87.8%
Dropout rate	18.2%	11.7%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $96,204 Year 2: $96,457 Year 3: $109,058 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $100,127 Year 3: $100,370 General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,388 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $98,739 Law (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $75,072 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $85,393 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,702 Year 2: $75,047 Year 3: $82,751 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $79,793 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $82,525 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,614 Year 2: $65,320 Year 3: $82,203 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,012 Year 2: $52,941 Year 3: $75,979 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $61,433 Year 2: $63,522 Year 3: $74,962 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,921 Year 2: $66,897 Year 3: $74,883	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

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between UT Austin and Baylor University?

UT Austin is a large, public research university known for its diverse academic programs, strong STEM fields, and vibrant campus life in a major city. Baylor University is a private, Christian university with a smaller, more close-knit community, emphasizing faith-based learning and a strong sense of tradition. UT Austin is generally more competitive to get into and offers a wider range of graduate programs, while Baylor provides a more personalized undergraduate experience.
How do the academic reputations of UT Austin and Baylor compare?

UT Austin consistently ranks among the top public universities in the nation, particularly for its engineering, business, and natural sciences programs. Baylor University is also highly regarded, especially for its business, law, and health sciences programs. While UT Austin has a broader range of top-ranked programs, Baylor offers strong programs within its specific areas of focus.
What is the campus environment like at UT Austin versus Baylor?

UT Austin's campus is large and bustling, located in the heart of Austin, a vibrant and progressive city. The campus culture is diverse and offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, from student organizations to music and arts events. Baylor's campus is smaller and more self-contained, located in Waco, Texas. The campus environment is more traditional and emphasizes Christian values, with a strong sense of community and school spirit.
How do the costs of attending UT Austin and Baylor differ?

As a public university, UT Austin generally has lower tuition costs for in-state students compared to Baylor, which is a private institution. Out-of-state tuition at UT Austin is higher but still often lower than Baylor's tuition. Both universities offer financial aid and scholarships, so it's important to explore those options to determine the actual cost of attendance for your specific circumstances.
What types of students typically thrive at UT Austin versus Baylor?

UT Austin is a good fit for students who are independent, self-motivated, and enjoy a large, diverse environment with many opportunities. Students who thrive at UT Austin are often drawn to research, innovation, and a fast-paced city life. Baylor is well-suited for students who value a close-knit community, a faith-based education, and a more traditional college experience. Students who thrive at Baylor often appreciate strong faculty mentorship and a supportive campus environment.
What are the popular majors at UT Austin and Baylor?

At UT Austin, popular majors include engineering (especially computer science and electrical engineering), business, natural sciences (biology, chemistry), and communication. At Baylor, popular majors include business, health sciences (nursing, pre-med), engineering, and education. Both universities offer a wide range of other programs, but these are some of the most sought-after.
How does the student life and extracurricular activities compare between the two universities?

UT Austin offers a vast array of student organizations, clubs, and activities, reflecting the diverse interests of its large student body. Austin's vibrant music scene and cultural attractions provide ample opportunities for entertainment and exploration. Baylor also has a strong student life with numerous clubs, organizations, and traditions. Baylor emphasizes community service and faith-based activities, and its location offers a more relaxed and traditional college town experience.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of UT Austin and Baylor?

Graduates from both UT Austin and Baylor are well-regarded by employers. UT Austin's strong reputation in STEM fields and its location in a major tech hub provide excellent career opportunities in those areas. Baylor's strong business and health sciences programs lead to successful careers in those fields. Both universities have career services offices that provide resources and support to help students find internships and jobs after graduation.
How does the location of each university impact the student experience?

UT Austin's location in Austin, Texas, offers students access to a thriving city with a strong job market, a vibrant music and arts scene, and numerous cultural attractions. The city provides many internship and job opportunities. Baylor's location in Waco, Texas, offers a more traditional college town experience with a slower pace of life and a strong sense of community. Waco is a smaller city with fewer big-city amenities but offers a more affordable cost of living.
What is the role of faith and religion at UT Austin versus Baylor?

While UT Austin is a public university and does not have a religious affiliation, it welcomes students of all faiths and offers various religious organizations and activities. Baylor University is a Baptist university, and its Christian faith is integrated into its academic programs, campus life, and values. Students at Baylor are expected to adhere to a code of conduct that reflects Christian principles.

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