Texas Christian University
#2 Best Business Colleges in Texas- Graduation Rate
- 86% A
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $68,424 A
- Top 8% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $36,660 F
- 114% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 44% A-
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 10.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $10.8 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Business Colleges in Texas.
Every $1 spent returns $10.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,434,484.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 68% more than the national college median.
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A 86% graduation rate — 50% above the national average.
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A top feeder school for 8 major employers.
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Every $1 invested returns $10.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.3%
- Top 64%
- Patents
- 20
- Linked to graduates
- Employer Pipelines
- 8
- Top feeder programs
- Patent Citations
- 66
- Downstream influence
Why Texas Christian University Matters
Texas Christian University is a private research university in Fort Worth, TX and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 8% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 11,026
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 61
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Communications, Health Professions, Social Sciences
Why students choose Texas Christian University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 44% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1140–1350. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $36,660 a year after grants and scholarships — 114% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $68,424 ten years after enrolling — 68% above the typical college, against $21,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 75% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.78 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Texas Christian University, located in Fort Worth, Texas, is a solid choice for students who are looking to balance a quality education with a vibrant campus life. With an acceptance rate of 44%, it’s accessible to many while maintaining high academic standards. The standout graduation rate of 86% reflects a supportive environment. Here, students dive into popular programs like Business and Marketing, Health Professions, Communications, Social Sciences, and Psychology, preparing them for a variety of career paths.
After graduation, students can expect to earn a median salary of $68,424 within a decade. This figure gives us a glimpse into the potential for success that TCU graduates experience in the job market. The school’s focus on practical, career-driven education helps many graduates land rewarding positions, though specifics about mobility rates aren’t available. Still, the financial investment in education here might pay off well for those who engage actively with the available resources.
In terms of costs, the net price after aid is $36,660, which can feel steep, but it's important to consider the context. With a median debt of $21,500, many students manage to graduate with a debt load that is manageable compared to their earning potential. The environment tends to favor those who are proactive and engaged, making TCU a good fit for students ready to take charge of their education and future careers.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Texas Christian University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Texas Christian University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Fort Worth, Texas, Texas Christian University reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 44%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,298. The graduation rate is roughly 86%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 44%
- Retention Rate
- 93%
- SAT Average
- 1298
- ACT Midpoint
- 29
- SAT Range
- 1140–1350
- ACT Range
- 26–31
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $13,971
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.57
- First-Gen Students
- 20%
- Applicants
- 16,197
- Admitted
- 9,087
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2025-26
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Texas Christian University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 25% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school many admits weigh against other offers.
- Yield Rate
- 25%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 27%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 21%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Early Decision Admit Rate
- 68.1%
- vs 48.1% overall
Applying early pays off here. Of 1,373 Early Decision applicants, 935 were admitted — a 68.1% admit rate, roughly 1.4× the 48.1% rate for the overall pool. That binding round alone filled about 34% of the entering class (935 of 2,754 first-years). The catch: Early Decision is a commitment you make before you can compare aid offers.
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 48% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Texas Christian University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Texas Christian University is $61,740, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $36,660. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,956 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $61,740
- Out-of-State
- $61,740
- Avg Net Price
- $36,660
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 14%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 25%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $17,956
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $16,980
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $17,940
- Family Income $110K+
- $53,450
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Texas Christian University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Texas Christian University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Texas Christian University earn a median of $68,424, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $60,435
- 8 Years
- $67,491
- 10 Years
- $68,424
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.31x
- Earning > $25K
- 79%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,320)
- 70%
- 100% (1,320)
- 70%
- 100% (1,320)
- 70%
- 100% (1,320)
- 70%
Where Grads Go
Texas Christian University is a top feeder for:
- #2 American Airlines
- #2 Dell Technologies
- #2 Toyota
- #4 Lockheed Martin
- #4 AT&T
- #4 Verizon
- #5 Johnson & Johnson
- #12 Goldman Sachs
Rank among programs feeding each employer.
Top employers of Texas Christian University’s MBA graduates, by hires reported in the school’s employment report.
- Alcon ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- Amazon ✓ VerifiedTechnology · Class of 2025
- American Airlines ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- AT&T ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- Bell Flight ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- BNSF Railway ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- Deloitte ✓ VerifiedConsulting · Class of 2025
- Dell Technologies ✓ VerifiedTechnology · Class of 2025
- Frito-Lay ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- Galderma ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- Goldman Sachs ✓ VerifiedFinance & banking · Class of 2025
- Johnson & Johnson ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- JPMorgan Chase ✓ VerifiedFinance & banking · Class of 2025
- Lockheed Martin ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- PMG ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- Smith+Nephew ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- Target ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- Toyota ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
- Verizon ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2025
How Texas Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Texas Christian University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Texas Christian University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $36,660/year ($146,640 total). Graduates earn $68,424 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,581,124 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,434,484 (10.8× your investment). The median debt is $21,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 86% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $146,640
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,581,124
- Net Return
- $1,434,484
- ROI Multiple
- 10.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $36,660
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 86%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Texas Christian University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Texas Christian University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.01%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 2.7% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 37.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $142,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.01%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 37.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 2.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $193,879
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Texas Christian University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 20 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.31%
- Top 64% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 20
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 66
- Downstream influence
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields Texas Christian University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 32% $84,379 early-career
- Communications 13% $55,755 early-career
- Health Professions 11% $79,296 early-career
- Social Sciences 7% $65,690 early-career
- Psychology 6% $33,658 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $55,805 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4% $29,648 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4% $84,779 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Texas Christian University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Texas Christian University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a private institution in Fort Worth, Texas, Texas Christian University reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 44%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,298. The graduation rate is roughly 86%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Texas Christian University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Texas Christian University is $61,740, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $36,660. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $17,956 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
Is Texas Christian University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Texas Christian University earn a median of $68,424, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Texas Christian University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Texas Christian University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.01%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 2.7% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 37.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $142,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Texas Christian University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Texas Christian University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.78, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Texas Christian University offer Early Decision, and does it improve admission chances?
Yes. Texas Christian University offers a binding Early Decision plan, and it carries a real advantage: Early Decision applicants were admitted at 68%, about 1.4 times the overall 48% acceptance rate, and ED filled roughly 34% of the entering class. Because ED is binding, it makes sense only if Texas Christian University is a clear first choice and you can commit before comparing aid offers (2025-26 Common Data Set).
Is Texas Christian University really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 48% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Texas Christian University (2025-26 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Texas Christian University?
About 25% of admitted students choose to enroll at Texas Christian University — its yield rate (2025-26 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Texas Christian University.
- Baylor UniversityWaco, TX · Close peer80% grad $65,793 earn 51% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- George Washington UniversityWashington, DC · Close peer85% grad $90,873 earn 47% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL · Close peer84% grad $75,328 earn 19% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh, PA · Close peer85% grad $66,125 earn 58% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- The University of TampaTampa, FL · Close peer63% grad $59,436 earn 40% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size · similar net price
- Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY · Close peer82% grad $79,164 earn 46% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Texas Christian University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Texas Christian University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.78, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note