Admit rate has ranged 28%–34% over the last 5 years. 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.
Trinity University, a selective liberal arts powerhouse in San Antonio, combines rigorous academics with a tight-knit community vibe. With record-low acceptance rates (25%) and strong outcomes (82% graduation rate), it punches above its weight—especially in business and sciences—while offering an unusually active campus life for its 2,500 undergrads.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
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
2,505
In-state tuition
$53,676
Out-of-state tuition
$53,676
Location
San Antonio, TX
Top Majors
Psychology (6%), Computer Science (5%), Math (4%)
Acceptance Rate
25% (Class of 2029)
Student-Faculty Ratio
Not provided in sources
Six-Year Graduation Rate
82%
Average Financial Aid Package
$52,568
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$71,668
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
3.1×
Median debt at graduation
$22,954
Graduation rate
84%
First-year retention
93%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
86%
Pell (lower-income) share
39%
First-generation share
17%
Endowment / student
$735,893
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 and Information Sciences, General$77,213
Finance and Financial Management Services$64,990
Engineering Science$60,320
Economics$52,107
Marketing$41,937
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics$40,485
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
4
Per 1,000 students
1.60
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
108
Summer high
95°F
Winter low
46°F
Annual rain
37.8"
Annual snow
1"
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
211
Scholarly works
7,889
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
1.2%
Bottom → top quintile
48%
From bottom quintile
2%
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 Trinity University?
Trinity University's acceptance rate is approximately 26% (San Antonio, TX), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Trinity University?
Admitted students at Trinity University typically score 1340–1500 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Trinity University cost?
At Trinity University, the average net price (after aid) is about $23,464 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Trinity University?
Trinity University enrolls approximately 2,505 undergraduate students.
Where is Trinity University located?
Trinity University is located in San Antonio, TX.
Admissions
Trinity has become dramatically more selective in recent years, with its Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. plummeting from 31% in 2022 to a historic low of 25% for the Class of 2029. The university received 11,902 applications for that class—its second-highest volume ever—and enrolled just 601 students. Middle 50% test scores land between 1370-1490 SAT or 31 ACT, putting Trinity in the same selectivity tier as many elite Northeastern liberal arts colleges. Early admission is available, though the Common Data Set (CDS)A standardized report most colleges publish each year with admissions, test-score, and financial-aid figures, making schools easier to compare. doesn't specify whether it's binding.
With over 100 majors and minors anchored in the liberal arts, Trinity particularly shines in psychology (6% of majors), computer science (5%), and mathematics (4%). The Michael Neidorff School of Business adds professional heft, while undergraduate research opportunities abound across disciplines. Students describe classes as "very difficult but interesting," with exceptionally accessible professors. The Princeton Review praises its blend of rigor and support, including hands-on learning—a formula that's propelled Trinity up national rankings.
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.
Communication and Media Studies
$36,848
Urban Studies/Affairs$31,670
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.
A strong arts scene (music groups, campus publications)
Easy access to San Antonio's cultural attractions
Students describe a "close-knit community" where it's easy to form friendships, aided by an administration that actively cultivates inclusive social spaces. The residential experience is central—over 80% live on campus—with dining and dorms frequently praised in student reviews.
Trinity delivers strong ROI, earning a 92/99 Return on Investment score from The Princeton Review. Its 82% six-year graduation rate tops national averages, with 84-87% of recent graduates securing employment or grad school placement. Alumni networks are particularly robust in Texas business circles, aided by the Neidorff School's regional reputation. The university emphasizes career prep through internships and research—85% of students complete at least one experiential learning opportunity.
At $32,264 Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. after aid (38% lower than sticker), Trinity positions itself as a private school value play. About 38% of students receive financial aid, with average packages totaling $52,568—a combination of merit scholarships (automatic consideration upon admission) and need-based grants. The university actively encourages prospective students to use its Net Price Calculator, signaling transparency about affordability.
Trinity pulls off a rare trifecta: the academic firepower of a top liberal arts college, the professional networks of a business school, and the spirited campus life typically found at larger universities. Its meteoric rise in selectivity (25% admit rate vs. 31% just three years ago) reflects growing recognition of this value proposition—especially for students seeking Texas connections without sacrificing intellectual rigor. The cherry on top? That distinctive San Antonio setting, blending historic charm with booming economic opportunities.
Trinity University logo · sourceUniversity History | About Trinity | Trinity University · sourceTrinity University - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges · sourceAll Campus - Events · source
