Applications for freshmen admission to the University of Texas at Austin increased 24.3 percent for the Fall 2025 term, compared with the number received one year ago, according to a report from the school.

The university received 90,562 applications during the submission period of Aug. 1 to Dec. 1, compared with 72,885 applications received for Fall 2024 admission.

Applications from Texas residents increased by 12 percent, while out-of-state applications soared, rising by 48 percent.

The school said it is the third consecutive year UT has broken records with the volume of freshmen applications.

UT officials said the surge in interest could be tied to expanded academic offerings and research and to two new honors programs—one in robotics and one in Civics Honors. The school also pointed to new initiatives designed to increase affordability, with the UT System Board of Regents recently announcing free tuition for household incomes under $100,000.

However, experts in college admissions say it could be tied to a number of factors.

Applications from Texas residents increased by 12 percent, while out-of-state applications soared, rising by 48 percent.

The school said it is the third consecutive year UT has broken records with the volume of freshmen applications.

UT officials said the surge in interest could be tied to expanded academic offerings and research and to two new honors programs—one in robotics and one in Civics Honors. The school also pointed to new initiatives designed to increase affordability, with the UT System Board of Regents recently announcing free tuition for household incomes under $100,000.

However, experts in college admissions say it could be tied to a number of factors.

“This is by far the largest year-over-year increase in app numbers. We can assume most of the application increase is for STEM/business majors since out-of-state students are especially less inclined to apply for non-STEM majors,” Martin said.

Still, there likely is one simple reason UT Austin is having its moment.

“The explanation is very simple,” said Hanna Skaran, a senior admissions consultant at Ivy Coach. “For years, UT had its own application system. Two years ago, they joined the Common App,” she said, referring to the free online platform that allows students to apply to multiple colleges and universities with one application. “Generally speaking the simple explanation is the correct one.”