The University of Texas at Dallas

UT Dallas is moderately selective, admitting about 69% of first-year applicants in the most recent cycle (roughly 25,100 offers from about 36,400 applicants). Admission turns mostly on academics: the rigor of your high school coursework, your GPA, and your class rank are all rated very important, while test scores and the essay are weighed as important factors.

Out-of-state odds are close to in-state odds at UT Dallas, which is unusual for a Texas public. For Fall 2025 it admitted about 71% of in-state applicants and about 68% of out-of-state applicants, with international applicants admitted at about 54%. Out-of-state students still make up only around 5% of enrolled first-years, but the admit rate itself shows little residency penalty.

Yes. Texas students who graduate in the top 10% of their class from an accredited Texas high school and complete the Distinguished Level of Achievement are automatically admitted to UT Dallas as first-year students. Applicants outside that threshold, and all out-of-state applicants, are reviewed on grades, class rank, course rigor, and the rest of the application.

A 1300 is competitive at UT Dallas: it sits just above the median, since the middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1170–1390 on the SAT (24–32 on the ACT) and the 50th percentile is 1290. UT Dallas is test-optional, so scores are recommended rather than required, but a 1300 would strengthen an application if you choose to submit.

Yes — UT Dallas is test-optional, so the SAT and ACT are recommended but not required for admission. Among enrolled first-years who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1170–1390 on the SAT and 24–32 on the ACT. If you submit, scores are weighed as an important factor alongside GPA, class rank, and course rigor.

Annual tuition and required fees run about $14,664 for Texas residents and $40,164 for out-of-state students. About 44% of first-years receive need-based grant or scholarship aid, with an average aid package near $20,001, and UT Dallas meets roughly 74% of demonstrated financial need on average.

Computer and information sciences is by far the largest field at about 27% of bachelor's degrees, reflecting the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. Business and marketing through the Naveen Jindal School of Management follows at about 19%, then engineering at 12% and the biological and life sciences at about 10%.

Yes. UT Dallas rates the application essay as an important factor in its review, on par with test scores, recommendations, and extracurriculars, just below the very important academic factors of course rigor, GPA, and class rank. The essay is optional but recommended, and for applicants who aren't automatically admitted it's a real chance to add context beyond the numbers.

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