More selective than 51% of Texas colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
34% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 7% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose HCU over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
HCU SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, HCU is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 500 | 600 |
| SAT math | 490 | 590 |
| ACT composite | 17 | 24 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 990 | 1190 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
HCU admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 84% | 500–600 | 490–590 | 17–24 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 85% | 490–610 | 480–590 | 19–28 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is HCU compared with other Texas colleges?
HCU has the 35th-lowest acceptance rate of 70 Texas colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Prairie View A & M University | 79% | 43% | $13,570 |
| 32 | The University of Texas at Arlington | 80% | 54% | $13,951 |
| 33 | Saint Edward's University | 81% | 63% | $25,578 |
| 34 | Angelo State University | 83% | 44% | $15,091 |
| 35 | Houston Christian University | 84% | 49% | $20,629 |
| 36 | University of North Texas at Dallas | 84% | 42% | $6,420 |
| 37 | Lamar University | 86% | 37% | $9,366 |
| 38 | The University of Texas at San Antonio | 87% | 53% | $10,836 |
| 39 | Schreiner University | 88% | 43% | $21,507 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Texas colleges →
Who enrolls at HCU
College Scorecard; IPEDS
HCU admissions questions
What is the HCU acceptance rate?
Houston Christian University accepts 84% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 7,681 of 9,021 applicants were admitted.
Does HCU require the SAT or ACT?
Houston Christian University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 34% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 7% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for HCU?
The middle 50% of Houston Christian University enrolled first-year students scored 990–1190 on the SAT and 17–24 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at HCU?
9% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (729 of 7,681).
Is HCU getting harder to get into?
Houston Christian University accepted 84% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 85% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Houston Christian University overview