Admit rate has ranged 43%–56% over the last 5 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.
Texas Christian University (TCU) blends rigorous academics with a spirited, tight-knit campus culture anchored by Greek life and Texan hospitality. With a 44% acceptance rate and a mid-50% SAT range of 1200–1400, TCU attracts ambitious students to its 117 undergraduate programs, including standout business and pre-professional tracks. The university boasts an 85% six-year graduation rate and a lively Fort Worth location, offering a quintessential 'big school spirit, small school resources' experience.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
Demonstrated competencies
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
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
11,026
In-state tuition
$61,740
Out-of-state tuition
$61,740
Acceptance Rate
44%
Undergraduate Majors
117
Average Starting Salary
$65,000
Greek Life Participation
40%
Six-Year Graduation Rate
85%
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
14:1
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$68,424
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.9×
Median debt at graduation
$21,500
Graduation rate
86%
First-year retention
93%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
77%
Pell (lower-income) share
43%
First-generation share
20%
Endowment / student
$237,216
Financial health
3.0 / 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.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer Systems Analysis$71,351
Business Administration, Management and Operations$71,015
Engineering, General$69,338
Computer and Information Sciences, General$68,666
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$66,737
Real Estate
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
13
Per 1,000 students
1.18
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
96
Summer high
95°F
Winter low
41°F
Annual rain
43.3"
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
282
Scholarly works
15,744
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.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.0%
Bottom → top quintile
37%
From bottom quintile
3%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Texas Christian University?
Texas Christian University's acceptance rate is approximately 44% (Fort Worth, TX), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Texas Christian University?
Admitted students at Texas Christian University typically score 1140–1350 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Texas Christian University cost?
At Texas Christian University, the average net price (after aid) is about $36,660 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Texas Christian University?
Texas Christian University enrolls approximately 11,026 undergraduate students.
Where is Texas Christian University located?
Texas Christian University is located in Fort Worth, TX.
Admissions
TCU's admissions process is moderately selective, with a 44% acceptance rate for the 2024–2025 cycle. The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 1200–1400 on the SAT (or 26–31 on the ACT) and held GPAs ranging from 3.65 to 3.95. The university is test-optional and uses the Common Application, with a regular decision deadline of February 1. Notably, 85% of students receive some form of financial aid, making TCU more accessible than its sticker price might suggest.
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.
$63,005
Finance and Financial Management Services$61,020
Accounting and Related Services$58,402
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Academics
TCU offers 117 undergraduate majors across its 10 colleges and schools, including 65 master’s and 38 doctoral programs. The 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention, and the university is ranked among the Top 100 national universities by U.S. News & World Report. Standout programs include business, nursing, and communications, with a strong emphasis on undergraduate research and interdisciplinary study.
TCU’s campus thrives on Greek life, which dominates the social scene, with 40% of undergraduates participating in fraternities or sororities. The university boasts 350+ student organizations, from service clubs to niche interest groups. Fort Worth’s cultural offerings—museums, rodeos, and a vibrant arts district—complement TCU’s lively tailgates and football traditions. The campus is described as welcoming and inclusive, with a strong emphasis on community service.
Greek life participation: 40% ([Source 20](https://www.niche.com/colleges/texas-christian-university/))
TCU graduates enjoy strong career prospects, with 98% achieving positive outcomes (employment or grad school) within six months. The average starting salary is $65,000, notably higher than the national average for similar institutions. The university’s six-year graduation rate is 85%, surpassing its own 2016 goal. Alumni networks, particularly in Texas, are robust, with many graduates entering fields like business, healthcare, and education.
TCU’s sticker price is steep—tuition and fees total $53,798—but 85% of students receive financial aid, bringing the average net price down to $44,190. Merit scholarships, need-based grants, and work-study opportunities are widely available. The university meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students, though aid packages often include loans.
Average net price: $44,190 ([Source 34](https://www.meetyourclass.com/tcu/cost))
Students receiving aid: 85% ([Source 10](https://admissions.tcu.edu/apply/index.php))
Financial aid packages: $53,798 average ([Source 31](https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/texas-christian-university/tuition-and-costs))
TCU strikes a rare balance: a top-tier academic reputation (Top 100 national university) with the warmth of a close-knit community. Its Greek life-driven social scene and big-time athletics (hello, Horned Frogs football) create a quintessential college experience, while Fort Worth’s urban amenities—from internships at Fortune 500 companies to the Stockyards’ cowboy culture—add real-world edge. The university’s 85% graduation rate and strong career outcomes prove it’s more than just a good time.
Texas Christian University logo · sourceOur Campus in Fort Worth, Texas | TCU · sourceOur Campus in Fort Worth, Texas | TCU · sourceFuture Campus Master Plan to Enhance Student Experience, Campus and Community · source
