More selective than 87% of Texas colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
20% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 15% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose TCU 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.
What TCU weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as TCU reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- High school GPA
- Essay
- Extracurricular activities
- Character and personal qualities
- First-generation college student
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- SAT/ACT scores
- Recommendations
- Talent or ability
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Where you live
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
- Your demonstrated interest
- Class rank
- Interview
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
68% of early decision applicants were admitted (935 of 1,373). Admitted students must enroll.
3,676 offered a spot, 1,083 took it, 396 admitted.
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
TCU 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, TCU is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 580 | 680 |
| SAT math | 560 | 670 |
| ACT composite | 26 | 31 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1140 | 1350 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
TCU admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 44% | 580–680 | 560–670 | 26–31 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 43% | 580–690 | 570–685 | 26–31 | 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 TCU compared with other Texas colleges?
TCU has the 10th-lowest acceptance rate of 70 Texas colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Huston-Tillotson University | 39% | 34% | $19,719 |
| 7 | Paul Quinn College | 40% | 27% | $12,709 |
| 8 | Southwestern University | 43% | 73% | $29,224 |
| 9 | Texas A & M International University | 44% | 46% | $3,637 |
| 10 | Texas Christian University | 44% | 86% | $36,660 |
| 11 | Austin College | 48% | 67% | $21,107 |
| 12 | Baylor University | 51% | 80% | $41,104 |
| 13 | Hallmark University | 51% | 66% | $12,513 |
| 14 | University of Dallas | 53% | 73% | $22,610 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Texas colleges →
Who enrolls at TCU
College Scorecard; IPEDS
TCU admissions questions
What is the TCU acceptance rate?
Texas Christian University accepts 44% of applicants, about 1 in 2. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 8,740 of 20,517 applicants were admitted.
Does TCU require the SAT or ACT?
Texas Christian University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 20% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 15% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for TCU?
The middle 50% of Texas Christian University enrolled first-year students scored 1140–1350 on the SAT and 26–31 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 TCU?
28% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (2,488 of 8,740).
What does TCU look for in applicants?
Texas Christian University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, high school GPA. Important: essay, extracurricular activities, character and personal qualities, first-generation college student, volunteer work, work experience. Considered: sAT/ACT scores, recommendations, talent or ability, alumni relation (legacy), where you live, state residency, religious affiliation, your demonstrated interest. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does TCU have early decision?
Yes. Texas Christian University offers binding early decision; 68% of early decision applicants were admitted for fall 2025 (935 of 1,373).
How many students get off the TCU waitlist?
For fall 2025, 3,676 applicants were offered a waitlist spot, 1,083 accepted one and 396 were admitted (37% of those who stayed on the list).
Is TCU getting harder to get into?
Texas Christian University accepted 44% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 43% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; TCU's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Texas Christian University overview