UT Austin in-state tuition for Oklahoma families

Logistics: getting between Oklahoma and Austin

• Primary airport: OKC
• Flight time to AUS: ~1.5 hours
• Driving distance to Austin: ~400 miles

Cost of living: Oklahoma vs. Austin

Oklahoma City and Tulsa cost of living is materially lower than Austin (Oklahoma housing runs 40-50% below Austin). Oklahoma state income tax tops out at 4.75%; Texas has zero. For high earners, the tax move alone can save $10,000-$25,000/year.

UT Austin and Oklahoma

Oklahoma families consider UT for the same reasons Texas families do: McCombs, CS, Cockrell Engineering, plus the Austin opportunity ecosystem. The 400-mile drive from Oklahoma City to Austin makes it one of the most accessible out-of-state markets for UT. Many Oklahoma families maintain ties to Oklahoma (oil and gas families, agricultural businesses) while pursuing the Texas residency pathway.

The savings math for a Oklahoma family

Out-of-state tuition at UT Austin is approximately $44,908/year. In-state tuition is $11,688/year. Annual savings from in-state classification: $33,220. Compared to staying in-state at University of Oklahoma ($12,500/year), UT Austin at the resident rate is $32,408 more per year.

For full year-by-year modeling, use the tuition calculator.

Moving from Oklahoma, residency considerations

Oklahoma residency is straightforward to exit. The standard documentary set (Texas driver's license, vehicle registration, voter registration, Texas-address federal tax return, and Texas property or lease) establishes Texas residency in 12 months. The Oklahoma-to-Austin drive (5.5 hours) makes maintenance of the new domicile easy: Texas-titled vehicle, Texas voter registration, and so on. The tax savings from exiting Oklahoma's income tax usually offset most Texas property tax.

This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Consult a Texas-licensed attorney or CPA before relying on anything specific.

Frequently asked questions (Oklahoma)