UT Austin tuition · Moody College of Communication
UT Austin Moody College of Communication Tuition
UT Austin Moody College of Communication tuition and required fees for 2025-26 are approximately $12,350/year for Texas residents and $45,900/year for non-residents at full-time enrollment (15 credit hours). The $33,550/year difference is the residency-classification gap; out-of-state families can legally qualify for the resident rate through the 12-month Texas residency pathway.
The Moody College of Communication tuition breakdown
Moody College charges a modest differential of approximately $330/semester to fund studio facilities, production equipment, and the practical-skills courses that distinguish journalism, RTF (Radio-Television-Film), and PR programs.
| Component | In-State (per year) | Out-of-State (per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Base tuition | ~$8,182 | ~$37,274 |
| Moody College of Communication differential | ~$662 | ~$992 |
| Required fees | ~$3,506 | ~$7,634 |
| Annual total | $12,350 | $45,900 |
Admissions context for Moody College of Communication
Moody admits approximately 1,200 students per year across Journalism, Advertising, Public Relations, Communication Studies, Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Radio-Television-Film. RTF is among the most selective majors with film-school-quality production resources.
Why Moody College of Communication tuition is higher
The Moody differential covers the cost of production studios, broadcast equipment, editing suites, and the practical-skills coursework that gives Moody graduates a portfolio when they enter the job market. The differential is modest because much of the instructional cost is funded through donor gifts (the Moody Family Foundation namesake gift).
Career outcomes for Moody College of Communication graduates
Recent Moody graduates work in journalism, advertising, public relations, film and television production, broadcasting, and corporate communication. Starting salaries vary widely: PR and Advertising start $50,000-$65,000, journalism and entry-level production start lower ($35,000-$50,000) but with significant upside.
Program details
- Texas Student Media operates The Daily Texan (the student newspaper), KVRX Radio, and Texas Student Television.
- RTF undergraduates produce short films through the production sequence.
- Active alumni network in Hollywood, sports broadcasting (ESPN), and the Texas state PR/advertising market.
- Joint majors with Plan II Honors and other colleges are common.
Out-of-state Moody College of Communication students: how the residency pathway changes the math
If your student has been admitted to Moody College of Communication as a non-resident, four-year tuition runs approximately $183,600 at flat rates (closer to $195,075 adjusted for ~4% annual increases). The Texas residency pathway, executed during year 1 and approved for year 2, brings the four-year total down by approximately $100,650.
The pathway: acquire Texas real property, the student lives at it, maintain Texas indicia (driver's license, vehicle registration, voter registration, federal tax return with Texas address) for 12 continuous months, file the residency petition through UT MyStatus. Full step-by-step pathway here.
The residency pathway works for every UT college
The residency framework applies identically whether the student is in Moody College of Communication, Liberal Arts, or any other college. Differential tuition (the part that makes Moody College of Communication more expensive than the base) is the same for residents and non-residents. The residency reclassification only affects the statutory (residency-sensitive) portion of tuition, but that portion is the same dollars across all colleges. Annual savings: about $33,550/year regardless of major.
Frequently asked questions
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