UT Austin tuition · Cockrell School of Engineering
UT Austin Cockrell School of Engineering Tuition
UT Austin Cockrell School of Engineering tuition and required fees for 2025-26 are approximately $14,500/year for Texas residents and $51,800/year for non-residents at full-time enrollment (15 credit hours). The $37,300/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 Cockrell School of Engineering tuition breakdown
The Cockrell School applies a per-semester differential tuition of approximately $1,400/semester on top of the base undergraduate rate to fund engineering-specific lab capacity, equipment, and faculty research. The differential is the same for in-state and out-of-state students.
| Component | In-State (per year) | Out-of-State (per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Base tuition | ~$8,182 | ~$37,274 |
| Cockrell School of Engineering differential | ~$2,812 | ~$6,892 |
| Required fees | ~$3,506 | ~$7,634 |
| Annual total | $14,500 | $51,800 |
Admissions context for Cockrell School of Engineering
Cockrell admits roughly 1,300 freshmen per year across 11 engineering disciplines, with the most selective being Aerospace, Biomedical, Chemical, and Electrical and Computer Engineering. Average admitted GPA is approximately 3.9 unweighted and 1,470 SAT for direct-to-major admission.
Why Cockrell School of Engineering tuition is higher
Engineering tuition runs about $2,800/year above the base because UT must maintain laboratory space, specialized equipment, and a faculty-to-student ratio appropriate for technical instruction. The Cockrell School also funds extensive co-op and internship coordination and a dedicated career services operation that drives the high post-graduation employment rate.
Career outcomes for Cockrell School of Engineering graduates
Recent Cockrell graduates report median starting salaries of approximately $85,000-$95,000 across disciplines, with computer-engineering and petroleum-engineering tracks running higher (~$100,000-$120,000). Top employers include ExxonMobil, Texas Instruments, Lockheed Martin, Apple, Meta, and a long tail of Austin-area technology and energy firms.
Program details
- Required engineering math/physics sequence in the first two years; selective enrollment in upper-division courses.
- Optional 5-year combined BS/MS programs in several disciplines.
- Active student organizations: SHPE, NSBE, SWE, Texas Solar Vehicle Team, Texas Aerial Robotics.
- Engineering Education and Research Center (EER) is the central undergraduate facility.
Out-of-state Cockrell School of Engineering students: how the residency pathway changes the math
If your student has been admitted to Cockrell School of Engineering as a non-resident, four-year tuition runs approximately $207,200 at flat rates (closer to $220,150 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 $111,900.
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 Cockrell School of Engineering, Liberal Arts, or any other college. Differential tuition (the part that makes Cockrell School of Engineering 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 $37,300/year regardless of major.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Cockrell School of Engineering tuition at UT Austin?
Why is Cockrell School of Engineering tuition higher than the UT Austin base undergraduate rate?
Will Cockrell School of Engineering tuition increase next year?
Can out-of-state Cockrell School of Engineering students qualify for in-state tuition?
Are Cockrell School of Engineering students eligible for major-specific scholarships?
How competitive are Cockrell School of Engineering admissions?
Talk to Luke
Your situation is specific. Get a written answer.
The site covers the general case. If your circumstances do not quite fit — divorce, military, scholarship interactions, late timing, prior denial — send a message. Luke replies personally, usually within one business day.
Or send a message and Luke will reply in writing: