UT Austin comparison · vs Emory
UT Austin vs Emory University
UT Austin in-state tuition is $11,688/year vs Emory in-state at $60,000/year. Out-of-state at UT is $44,908/year vs Emory out-of-state at $60,000/year. For out-of-state families, the Texas residency pathway can convert the UT non-resident rate to the resident rate in 12 months, making UT after residency the cheapest of the four classifications.
Summary
UT Austin and Emory are both large research universities with different structures. Emory is a top-25 private research university in Atlanta with strong programs in business (Goizueta), medicine, and public health. UT is a top-30 public flagship. Emory sticker: ~$60,000/year. UT non-resident: $44,908. Emory is materially more expensive than UT non-resident, and dramatically more expensive than UT after Texas residency.
Cost comparison
| Tuition + Required Fees | UT Austin | Emory | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-state (resident) | $11,688 | $60,000 | UT cheaper by $48,312 |
| Out-of-state (non-resident) | $44,908 | $60,000 | UT cheaper by $15,092 |
| UT after Texas residency | $11,688 | vs Emory in-state: $48,312 cheaper at UT |
Emory sticker approximately $60,000/year (private). Emory need-based aid meaningful for lower-and-middle-income families. For higher-income families: Emory approaches sticker. UT with Texas residency pathway dramatically cheaper.
Where UT Austin wins
- UT non-resident at $44,908 is materially cheaper than Emory sticker at $60,000
- UT after Texas residency at $11,688 is dramatically cheaper than Emory
- McCombs Business ranks top 10 (Goizueta top 15)
- Cockrell Engineering top 10-15 (Emory has no engineering)
- Austin tech pipeline stronger than Atlanta tech
- UT alumni network in Texas is much larger
Where Emory wins
- Emory ranks top 25 nationally
- Goizueta Business School is well-regarded (top 15 undergrad business)
- Emory pre-med and med school connections are elite
- Rollins School of Public Health is top-5 nationally
- Atlanta location provides diverse industry access
- Emory need-based aid is generous
Program comparison
For Business: McCombs (top 10) outranks Goizueta (top 15). For Engineering: UT has program; Emory has none. For Pre-Med: Emory has strong medical school adjacency (Emory University Hospital, CDC nearby). For Public Health: Emory Rollins top-5 nationally.
Admissions comparison
Emory acceptance rate ~13%; UT ~31% overall. Emory is more selective on aggregate. Both admissions are competitive.
Culture and campus
Emory is in Atlanta, urban private-university environment. UT Austin is in urban Austin, large public research university. Both have strong pre-med populations; Emory smaller and more focused.
The Texas residency angle
For students admitted to both: cost is a meaningful decision factor. Emory need-based aid for $150K-$250K AGI families brings cost to ~$35K-$50K/year. UT after Texas residency at $11,688 is dramatically cheaper across all income scenarios.
Frequently asked questions
Is Emory better than UT for pre-med?
Is UT cheaper than Emory?
Should my student choose Emory for pre-med?
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