Opinions on UT [Texas] vs Alabama Business [accounting, pre-law]

Compare College Acceptances
1

My senior was accepted into Business at University of Texas. That’s in state for him tuition roughly 11,000 a year. Then he received a merit offer from the University of Alabama, the Competitive Achievement, competitive housing and provost academic. So full tuition, housing for the first year and an additional 1000. I realize a lot of factors go into his decision, I just wanted to hear from others that have more knowledge of colleges what their thoughts and opinions were on between the 2 options.

Plans on doing accounting/CPA and pursuing a JD.

2

Was your son admitted to the Honors College at the University of Alabama ?

If yes, then the University of Alabama School of Law may waive the requirement of the LSAT when, and if, he applies to UA’s law school.

On the other hand, the University of Texas has one of the two best accounting schools in the country.

Is there much of a difference regarding total COA (cost-of-attendance) ?

If yes, does it matter to you & your family ?

3

Would second the recommendation of UT.

2 Likes
4

Yes, admitted to the honors college. COA is confusing to me. Alabama said their total COA before any scholarships is 60,000. That seems high to me compared to other universities I’ve seen but I get that it’s not exact. It estimated roughly 14,000 coa after all the merit. Tuition at Texas is around 11 and cost of living in Austin I’m assuming is more. The other factor is he is coming in with quite a few AP classes so we will have to check with Alabama if he graduated early if we essentially lose that year of merit.

5

If students graduate college early then they don’t get the merit for the year they missed, it still saves money vs. 4 years.

1 Like
6

I’d look into the placement record of the 2 schools, especially geographic dispersion and starting salary. McCombs has a national reputation.

4 Likes
7

McCombs, hands down

6 Likes
8

So they got a 4.0 and 36 ACT. They got the Presidential elite

So your cost for room and board is likely 3 years at $15k and one at $5k with a little money back.

Does spending $50K vs. what UT will cost for tuition, room and board matter? Right now that’s about $70K less at Bama. Can you afford the delta?

That’s the first question.

Then the schools are different - one urban, one not. One large, spread out and green.

It is true that McCombs is well regarded. For accounting, yes there’s rank - but does it matter? The big 4 recruit most places.

For CPA and law school, I don’t see either “name” mattering. That’s me.

Does McCombs get a CPA more than a Culverhouse grad?

ehhhhh

But that’s how I see it - no doubt UT is better regarded - that statement can be made. Does that better regard matter for CPA or law school. I’d say not.

Good luck - here’s the terms of Presidential Elite at Bama - note, at Bama, you’d live in Ridgecrest and get your own room and shared bath with one. Does that matter? It’s why my kid chose it vs. a higher ranked school in his major but it may not matter to yours - or UT might offer similar.

Let me add - if you graduate early, you can use the extra money for a grad degree or maybe the person double majors. Check with the school on this scholarship but perhaps you can knock off a year of law tuition. On the other hand, students often don’t get as many AP credits as they think as some classes give the same credit. At my daughter’s school she walked in with 30 or 33 but only 9 mattered.

My $ above ($120k vs $50k)are based on 4 years

Don’t look at COA - look at tuition, room and board. COA includes variables such as transport, personal expenses, books etc So each school uses a different # but that’s why you see $60k - but it’s not a real #.

Good luck.

A student with a 4.0+ GPA and 36 ACT OR 1600 SAT will be selected as a Presidential Elite Scholar and will receive:

  • Value of tuition for up to four years or eight semesters for degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate or law studies

  • First year of on-campus housing at regular room rate (based on assignment by Housing and Residential Communities)

  • $1,500 per year supplemental scholarship for four years

  • $2,000 one-time allowance for use in research or international study (after completing one year of study at UA)

1 Like
9

This may not be true at all universities. Although I cannot recall the specific schools, several have shared that their scholarships are for 8 semesters and that the last year (4th year) will be in a master’s degree program.

10

Yes, but the Big 4 may not recruit for all positions at all schools.

4 Likes
11

But what if they finish after 3? One of mine got $17,000 in merit a year, but due to AP classes and 18 credit semesters, graduated after 3 years. She did get into the 3 year doctorate program at her university, but wouldn’t have received $17,000 for the first year, since it was grad school.

1 Like
12

Depends both upon the particular university and the particular scholarship.

3 Likes
13

Bama really does offer, maybe the best deal - which is why kids that get into top schools flock there.

If I understand CPA, they will need more than units at graduation - another 30 maybe - but either way, Bama is just easy to deal with as you can see in the description.

That said, if someone left early, they are not losing because you still spend, even with merit - in this case to live.

  • Value of tuition for up to four years or eight semesters for degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate or law studies
14

Just to clarify - tuition at McCombs this year is $13,576, not $11k. UT has schools with higher tuition - still cheap but about $10k over four years more than you are estimating. And don’t forget inflation, which you won’t have at Bama.

Bama will have lower cost off campus housing options, just given it’s a small city/large town vs an urban metropolis. So lower living costs too.

it doesn’t make it the right choice but just other financial points.

When on campus, UT uses a $15,420 room and board figure.

Expense / money may not be a factor for you. Both are inexpensive to you in today’s college environment.

15

If UT and law school are comfortably affordable then I’d opt for UT. If the savings from UAlabama would allow you to finance the JD (rather than the student taking on debt) then it would be reasonable to consider that option.

3 Likes
16

So far 20 states have removed the extra 30 credits to sit for the cpa exams (including mine).

3 Likes
17

And remember, the federally funded student loans for professionals are now limited to $200,000 in total…and for professional students no more than $50,000 a year. So if law school is in the future…keep those costs in mind also.

1 Like
18

If the student forgoes law, here’s career data from each school for accounting - So really - forget the rank and whatever else - they’re indistinguishable from a salary/outcome POV with Bama being more forthright (a 96% knowledge rate vs. 50%). If you want to end up in Texas, it’s interesting it’s the second state.

Bama

Outcomes

  • 99% Positive Outcomes

  • $71,478 Starting Salary

  • 96% Knowledge Rate

Common Career Paths

  • Assurance Services

  • Business Valuing

  • Environmental Accounting

  • External Auditing

  • Personal Financial Planning

  • Tax

Top destinations

Alabama

Texas

Tennessee

Georgia

Florida

New York

U Texas

For McCombs, the salaries are similar but the knowledge rate only 50%. 26 grads, 13 of which reported. Note, McCombs is 2024 data. Bama - I can’t tell if it’s 25 or 24 but assume it’s 24 based on the entire university’s placement report is 24.

Accounting 26 13 $73,862

I was surprised at the # of grads - only 26 at UT. But by far the most grads there were in finance (408) with MIS the only other major over 100 (175).

Salary Statistics - McCombs School of Business

Career Outcomes – Culverhouse College of Business Career Center | The University of Alabama

19

Vibe and environment are different - does he have a preference?
At UT, did he get into any sort of special program?
Did he apply/get into any “Honors within Honors” at Bama?
It sounds like Bama would be cheaper but not by much - does the financial difference matter to you?

1 Like
20

If money isn’t a factor, I’d personally have a hard time choosing Alabama over UT Austin–McCombs. While rankings aren’t everything, McCombs is consistently top 10 nationally for undergraduate business (#6 this year), and that broad name recognition and prestige does matter for many firms — especially if OP’s son plans to seek employment beyond the Southeast.

11 Likes