Admit rate has ranged 50%–63% over the last 4 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Huston-Tillotson University, Austin's only HBCU, blends a tight-knit, supportive community with a surprisingly strong ROI for graduates. With a focus on liberal arts and STEM, this historically Black institution punches above its weight in fostering career-ready graduates who thrive in Texas' booming economy.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,005
In-state tuition
$26,709
Out-of-state tuition
$26,709
Type
Private HBCU
Founded
1875
Location
Austin, TX
Acceptance Rate
39-67.7% (varies by source)
Grad Rate (6-yr)
36%
Median Earnings 1yr Post-Grad
$36,427
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$42,937
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.2×
Median debt at graduation
$30,750
Graduation rate
34%
First-year retention
58%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
29%
Pell (lower-income) share
79%
First-generation share
43%
Endowment / student
$13,544
Financial health
2.7 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
98
Summer high
95°F
Winter low
44°F
Annual rain
47.6"
Annual snow
1.5"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
22
Scholarly works
232
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Huston-Tillotson University?
Huston-Tillotson University's acceptance rate is approximately 39% (Austin, TX), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Huston-Tillotson University?
Admitted students at Huston-Tillotson University typically score 800–1160 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Huston-Tillotson University cost?
At Huston-Tillotson University, the average net price (after aid) is about $19,719 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Huston-Tillotson University?
Huston-Tillotson University enrolls approximately 1,005 undergraduate students.
Where is Huston-Tillotson University located?
Huston-Tillotson University is located in Austin, TX.
Admissions
Huston-Tillotson's admissions process walks the line between accessible and selective, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. reported between 39-67.7% across sources. The university explicitly states a 2.3 GPA and 16 ACT (or 900 SAT) as baseline requirements for regular admission, though scoring a 1000 SAT or 20 ACT 'nearly guarantees' acceptance. Notably, every applicant in one reported cycle (1,247 applied, 1,247 accepted) was admitted, though only 1,024 enrolled—suggesting YieldThe share of admitted students who actually choose to enroll. Colleges watch it closely, which is why some weigh how interested you seem. challenges common among regional HBCUs.
HT offers 23+ undergraduate majors spanning traditional liberal arts and market-driven fields, with particular strengths in STEM (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science) and professional programs like Business Administration and Criminal Justice. The university emphasizes flexibility, offering alternative teacher certification and pre-law/pre-med tracks. A 6% figure referenced in institutional materials suggests either a graduate program presence or specialized certification rate, though context is unclear. The Princeton Review notes its structure: a College of Arts & Sciences and School of Business & Technology driving its academic identity.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Campus culture thrives on intimacy and inclusivity, with students describing a 'warm, family-like atmosphere' (Niche). Over 20 student organizations span academic interests, cultural groups, and service initiatives, with active Greek life and traditions like Mister and Miss HTU. The university actively promotes cross-cultural events, evidenced by a packed Facebook post showing 'students, staff, and faculty from all different backgrounds' sharing traditions. A YouTube campus tour highlights compact but engaged facilities, with labs and classrooms supporting its STEM focus.
HT presents a paradox: a 36% six-year graduation rate (bottom 15% nationally, with a stark 28% male vs. higher female rate) contrasts with its #1 ranking for ROI among Texas HBCUs. Alumni median earnings one year post-graduation are $36,427—respectable for a small liberal arts college. The university emphasizes career-ready outcomes, with institutional reports highlighting 'financial success of graduates' as a key metric. Retention data suggests students who persist beyond the first year are significantly more likely to graduate.
With a Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. of $19,638 after aid (per BigFuture), HT leverages its private status to offer substantial support—over two-thirds of undergraduates receive aid. The financial aid office administers 'more than a dozen' scholarships ranging from partial to full tuition, alongside federal work-study and loans. A net price calculator allows families to estimate personalized costs, though the university's shopping sheet suggests transparency in breaking down tuition, fees, and living expenses.
HT carves a unique niche as Austin's sole HBCU, offering urban access with a close-knit vibe rare in a fast-growing tech hub. Its 1875 founding anchors it in Black educational history, while programs like Computer Science and Business Administration tether it to the city's economic boom. The graduation rate/ROI disconnect suggests students who leverage its small classes and Austin connections reap outsized rewards—making it a smart bet for self-starters seeking HBCU culture in a progressive city.
Huston-Tillotson University logo · sourceSafe and Healthy Rams - Huston-Tillotson University · sourceHuston-Tillotson University | Texas Time Travel · sourceHuston-Tillotson University · source
