UT Austin tuition · College of Fine Arts
UT Austin College of Fine Arts Tuition
UT Austin College of Fine Arts tuition and required fees for 2025-26 are approximately $11,950/year for Texas residents and $45,300/year for non-residents at full-time enrollment (15 credit hours). The $33,350/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 College of Fine Arts tuition breakdown
Fine Arts applies a small differential of approximately $130/semester plus per-course studio and materials fees that can range from $50-$300/course depending on the medium.
| Component | In-State (per year) | Out-of-State (per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Base tuition | ~$8,182 | ~$37,274 |
| College of Fine Arts differential | ~$262 | ~$392 |
| Required fees | ~$3,506 | ~$7,634 |
| Annual total | $11,950 | $45,300 |
Admissions context for College of Fine Arts
Fine Arts is significantly more selective than admissions to UT generally because most programs require portfolio review or audition. Departments include Art and Art History (studio art, design), Theatre and Dance, and the Butler School of Music (one of the largest music schools in the country).
Why College of Fine Arts tuition is higher
Fine Arts differential and course fees fund studio space, performance venues, and instruments/materials. Butler School of Music students additionally pay for applied music lessons (one-on-one instruction) that average $400-$800/semester.
Career outcomes for College of Fine Arts graduates
Career outcomes vary widely by medium. Design and Art Direction graduates from Department of Art and Art History work in Austin's tech industry as UX designers, art directors at agencies, and increasingly in game-industry roles. Music performance graduates pursue orchestral positions, freelance performing careers, or graduate study. Theatre graduates pursue regional theatre, film/TV, and increasingly the Austin film industry.
Program details
- Butler School of Music includes both the prestigious Performance program and a Music Studies (musicology/theory) track.
- Department of Theatre and Dance produces major shows each semester through the Department of Theatre and Dance season.
- Studio art majors graduate with a senior portfolio show.
- Active community access through public performances and gallery exhibitions.
Out-of-state College of Fine Arts students: how the residency pathway changes the math
If your student has been admitted to College of Fine Arts as a non-resident, four-year tuition runs approximately $181,200 at flat rates (closer to $192,525 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 $100,050.
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 College of Fine Arts, Liberal Arts, or any other college. Differential tuition (the part that makes College of Fine Arts 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 $33,350/year regardless of major.
Frequently asked questions
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