UT Austin comparison · vs Georgia Tech
UT Austin vs Georgia Institute of Technology
UT Austin in-state tuition is $11,688/year vs Georgia Tech in-state at $12,700/year. Out-of-state at UT is $44,908/year vs Georgia Tech out-of-state at $33,800/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 Georgia Tech are both top public research universities particularly strong in engineering and computer science. Georgia Tech ranks top 10 in many engineering disciplines and top 10 in CS; UT ranks top 10-15 in both. For STEM students, the two schools are direct competitors. Cost: Georgia Tech in-state at ~$12,700 is slightly more expensive than UT in-state at $11,688; Georgia Tech out-of-state at ~$33,800 is about $11,100/year cheaper than UT out-of-state.
Cost comparison
| Tuition + Required Fees | UT Austin | Georgia Tech | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-state (resident) | $11,688 | $12,700 | UT cheaper by $1,012 |
| Out-of-state (non-resident) | $44,908 | $33,800 | Georgia Tech cheaper by $11,108 |
| UT after Texas residency | $11,688 | vs Georgia Tech in-state: $1,012 cheaper at UT |
Georgia Tech in-state at $12,700 is about $1,000/year more expensive than UT in-state. Georgia Tech out-of-state at $33,800 is about $11,100/year cheaper than UT out-of-state. With the Texas residency pathway, UT after residency at $11,688 becomes cheaper than Georgia Tech at either classification.
Where UT Austin wins
- McCombs Business significantly outranks Scheller College of Business
- UT has broader liberal arts, humanities, and social sciences than Georgia Tech
- Austin tech industry is comparable to Atlanta but with stronger startup density
- Larger total student body provides broader social and academic environment
- Texas residency pathway makes UT after residency cheaper than Georgia Tech at either rate
- Plan II Honors interdisciplinary program is distinctive vs Georgia Tech's narrower focus
Where Georgia Tech wins
- Georgia Tech Engineering and CS rank top 5-10 nationally (slightly above UT)
- Georgia Tech out-of-state at $33,800 is materially cheaper than UT out-of-state
- Georgia Tech's narrow STEM focus produces deep career placement into top tech
- Co-op program at Georgia Tech is among the strongest in the country
- Atlanta tech, Coca-Cola HQ, Delta, and major corporate base nearby
- Strong industrial engineering and supply chain programs
Program comparison
For Engineering: Georgia Tech ranks top 5-10 across multiple disciplines; UT Cockrell ranks top 10-15. For Computer Science: Georgia Tech ranks top 5-8; UT ranks top 10-12. For Industrial Engineering: Georgia Tech is dominant (#1 nationally for many years). For Business: McCombs significantly outranks Scheller. For broader academics (liberal arts, social sciences, humanities), UT is the stronger comprehensive university; Georgia Tech is intentionally STEM-focused.
Admissions comparison
Georgia Tech acceptance rate ~17%; UT ~31% overall (~8-13% for non-residents). For STEM majors, both schools are similarly selective for the strongest programs. Georgia Tech CS direct admit and UT CS direct admit are both highly competitive (~5-10% acceptance rate).
Culture and campus
Georgia Tech is in midtown Atlanta, an urban campus within a major metro. The culture is intensely STEM-focused; the student body is dominantly engineering and CS. UT Austin is also urban but with broader academic culture (liberal arts, music, government policy alongside engineering and CS). For students who want a comprehensive university experience, UT offers more breadth; for students who want narrow STEM focus, Georgia Tech delivers.
The Texas residency angle
Texas residency pathway makes UT cheaper than Georgia Tech at either rate. UT after residency at $11,688 vs Georgia Tech out-of-state at $33,800 saves about $22,100/year. Georgia residency for out-of-state college students is hard to establish.
Frequently asked questions
Is Georgia Tech better than UT for engineering?
Is Georgia Tech better than UT for Computer Science?
Is UT or Georgia Tech a better fit for STEM students who want broad academics?
How does the Atlanta vs Austin tech industry compare?
Can my Georgia student establish Texas residency for UT?
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