UT Austin · Outcomes data
UT Austin Graduation Rate + Retention
UT Austin graduation and retention data: 4-year 72%, 6-year 89%, freshman retention 95%. Among the strongest of any US public university.
Cites Texas Education Code §54.052Last reviewed 2026-06-23Not affiliated with UT or THECBPublished by Luke Allen, TREC #788149
The retention + graduation numbers
UT Austin: 4-year graduation rate ~72%, 6-year graduation rate ~89%, freshman retention rate ~95%. Among the strongest of any US public university. Well above national averages (~46% 4-year, ~63% 6-year, ~80% retention). Higher for McCombs (~85%) and CS (~80%). Reflects selective admissions, strong academic support, and student engagement.
UT Austin graduation and retention data
| Metric | UT Austin | National Average (Public Universities) |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman-to-sophomore retention rate | ~95% | ~80% |
| 4-year graduation rate | ~72% | ~46% |
| 6-year graduation rate | ~89% | ~63% |
Graduation rate by UT college
| UT College | 4-Year Graduation Rate | 6-Year Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| McCombs School of Business | ~85% | ~93% |
| Computer Science (CSDS) | ~80% | ~92% |
| Cockrell School of Engineering | ~75% | ~90% |
| College of Natural Sciences | ~70% | ~88% |
| College of Liberal Arts | ~70% | ~87% |
| Moody College of Communication | ~72% | ~89% |
| College of Education | ~65% | ~85% |
| College of Fine Arts | ~65% | ~82% |
| School of Architecture | ~60% (5-yr BArch) | ~85% |
| School of Nursing | ~85% | ~93% |
Comparison to peer public universities
| University | 4-Year Grad Rate | 6-Year Grad Rate | Freshman Retention |
|---|---|---|---|
| UVA | ~88% | ~95% | ~97% |
| Michigan | ~83% | ~93% | ~97% |
| UCLA | ~78% | ~92% | ~97% |
| UC Berkeley | ~78% | ~93% | ~96% |
| UNC Chapel Hill | ~85% | ~91% | ~96% |
| Georgia Tech | ~65% | ~91% | ~97% |
| UT Austin | ~72% | ~89% | ~95% |
| Wisconsin | ~68% | ~89% | ~95% |
| Texas A&M | ~59% | ~83% | ~92% |
| Ohio State | ~65% | ~85% | ~94% |
| Florida | ~72% | ~90% | ~97% |
Why UT retention and graduation rates are so high
- Selective admissions: UT admits students with strong academic profiles; ~31% overall acceptance rate
- Extensive academic support: Sanger Learning Center, discipline-specific tutoring, undergraduate advising
- Engagement programs: Freshman Research Initiative, Living-Learning Communities, honors programs
- Pre-professional advising: pre-med (HPO), pre-law, pre-business track
- Strong departmental communities: tight cohorts within McCombs, CS, Cockrell provide social + academic support
- Career services investment: career fairs, on-campus recruiting keep students engaged
- Financial aid quality: Texas Advance Commitment covers tuition for in-state under-$100K AGI families
- Campus culture: Longhorn identity and traditions foster institutional belonging
What the numbers mean for prospective students
- High retention (95%) means UT students overwhelmingly stay through freshman year; the transition to sophomore year is generally successful
- 72% 4-year graduation means most students who enroll do complete their degree in 4 years
- 89% 6-year graduation means the vast majority ultimately graduate, though some take extra time (double majors, study abroad, program requirements like BArch)
- Compared to peer universities: UT is competitive with top public flagships; slightly below the very top (UVA, UNC) but above many well-known publics
- Higher rates in professional colleges (McCombs 85%, CS 80%, Nursing 85%) reflect direct-admit structure and cohort community
Frequently asked questions
What is UT Austin's graduation rate?
UT Austin 4-year graduation rate is approximately 72%, and 6-year graduation rate is approximately 89%. These are among the strongest rates of any US public university. For context, national averages are ~46% (4-year) and ~63% (6-year). UT's rates reflect selective admissions, strong academic support, and high student engagement.
What is UT Austin's freshman retention rate?
UT Austin freshman-to-sophomore retention rate is approximately 95%. This is exceptionally high; national average is ~80% for 4-year institutions. The 5% who do not return typically transfer to other institutions, take gap years, or leave for personal reasons. Very few academic dismissals.
What is the 4-year graduation rate by UT college?
By UT college: McCombs Business ~85% (highest, direct-admit BBA students); Computer Science ~80%; Cockrell Engineering ~75%; Natural Sciences ~70%; Liberal Arts ~70%; Communications ~72%; Education ~65%; Fine Arts ~65% (longer degree tracks). Numbers vary year-to-year and by specific program.
Why is UT Austin's graduation rate so high?
Multiple factors: (1) selective admissions produce students with strong academic profiles; (2) extensive academic support (Sanger Learning Center, tutoring, advising); (3) Freshman Research Initiative and other engagement programs; (4) strong pre-professional advising (pre-med, pre-law); (5) rigorous but supported curriculum; (6) strong college and departmental communities.
How does UT Austin graduation rate compare to peer public universities?
UT Austin's 6-year rate (~89%) is competitive with: UC Berkeley (~93%), UCLA (~92%), Michigan (~93%), UVA (~95%), UNC Chapel Hill (~91%), Georgia Tech (~91%). Higher than: Texas A&M (~83%), Wisconsin (~89%), Ohio State (~85%), Florida (~90%). UT is at the top of major US public university graduation rates.
What percentage of UT Austin students graduate on time?
Approximately 72% of UT students graduate within 4 years (on-time). Another ~17% take 5-6 years to graduate (often due to double majors, study abroad, internship absences, or specific programs like BArch that require 5 years). Total 6-year graduation: ~89%.
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