UC San Diego vs University of Texas at Austin

UC San Diego is the more selective of the two at 27%, versus 27% at University of Texas at Austin. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

UC San Diego
Selective
27%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1490
Public · California
University of Texas at Austin
Selective
27%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1460
Public · Texas

UC San Diego vs University of Texas at Austin: the differences that matter

How UC San Diego and University of Texas at Austin stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.

UC San Diego and University of Texas at Austin are almost equally selective (27% vs 27%), so neither is a clear safety relative to the other. Your odds at each come down to fit, not headline difficulty.

The two also read applications a little differently. UC San Diego leans more on application essay, level of applicant interest, while University of Texas at Austin puts more weight on class rank, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, UC San Diego's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1490 and University of Texas at Austin's is around 1460. Admitted students at UC San Diego post somewhat higher scores. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.

What each school weighs

Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.

FactorUC San DiegoUniversity of Texas at Austin
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Class rankconsideredimportant
Standardized test scoresimportantvery important
Application essayvery importantimportant
Extracurricular activitiesconsideredimportant
Character / personal qualitiesconsideredimportant
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is UC San Diego or University of Texas at Austin harder to get into?

UC San Diego is harder to get into, with a 27% acceptance rate versus 27% at University of Texas at Austin.

What's the difference in SAT scores between UC San Diego and University of Texas at Austin?

UC San Diego's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1490, and University of Texas at Austin's is around 1460.

What are my chances at UC San Diego and University of Texas at Austin?

That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.