What makes TCU different
- Small classes, big conference. About 11,000 undergraduates, with a teacher-scholar model and an assigned advisor for every student.
- A residential start. First- and second-year students live on campus in halls around the Campus Commons.
- Merit scholarships for everyone who applies. All applicants are considered, and TCU is test-optional through 2028.
What TCU students study
The most common bachelor's degrees (class of 2024): nursing (230), finance (200), marketing (140), communication (124), psychology (113) and real estate (106). Source: IPEDS Completions, first majors only.
You may thrive at TCU if…
- You want a mid-sized private university with personal attention.
- You'd like a lively campus in a big Texas metro.
- You're interested in business, nursing, communication or education.
Worth asking about
- What does the TCU Core require?
- What do students who received aid actually pay?
How TCU compares with the other Big 12 schools
TCU joined the Big 12 in 2012 and is one of its three private universities, with Baylor and BYU. See how the 16 Big 12 schools differ.
FAQ
What is Texas Christian University's acceptance rate? 44.5% for fall 2024: 9,925 of 22,307 applicants were admitted.
Does TCU charge out-of-state tuition? TCU is private, so its tuition is the same for students from any state. About half of first-year students came from outside Texas. TCU considers every applicant for merit scholarships and is test-optional through 2028. Source
How much is TCU tuition per semester? About $30,870 a semester, half the published $61,740 a year, before aid.
Is TCU an R1 university? No. In the 2025 Carnegie Classifications, Texas Christian University is an R2 university, with high research activity. What R1 means →
How many students go to TCU? About 11,000 undergraduates (fall 2024).
What is TCU known for? Small classes, business and nursing, and its Fort Worth campus.
How much does TCU cost? Published tuition and fees are $61,740 a year before aid, and the total cost of attendance is $76,604. Students who received aid paid $39,271 a year on average.
Wondering if a smaller university fits you?
Lens's assessments show whether you lean toward smaller or larger campuses, and why. Start with Lens →