SU vs. TCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX with Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas Christian University is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (12,938 students vs. 1,440 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwestern University is located in Georgetown, TX (Distant Town setting); Texas Christian University is in Fort Worth, TX (Large City setting).
• Southwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwestern University 11:1; Texas Christian University 14:1.

SU vs. TCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SU or TCU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southwestern University than TCU ($32,228 vs. $41,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern University are 9.7% lower than at Texas Christian University ($15,072 vs. $16,700).
• Texas Christian University is 14.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SU (about $7,927 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $53,813.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.7% higher at TCU than at Southwestern University (about $7,927 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $53,813.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern University than at Texas Christian University (99% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern University students is 0.5% larger than aid received by Texas Christian University students ($35,162 vs. $34,975).

SU vs. TCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SU or TCU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between TCU and SU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas Christian University (1250) is 30 points higher than at SU (1220).
• Incoming SU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at TCU (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwestern University 1130/1300; Texas Christian University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwestern University 26/30; Texas Christian University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SU - Test optional; TCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Feb 1, 2027; TCU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TCU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at SU (3.5).
• TCU has a higher acceptance rate (44.5%) than SU (43.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at SU vs. 24.7% at TCU.

SU vs. TCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SU and TCU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Texas Christian University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Southwestern University's (73%).
• Graduates from Texas Christian University earn a median of about $200 more per year than SU graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,600 vs. $57,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas Christian University graduates have a $5,393 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,893).
• Among borrowers, TCU graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($222 vs. $278).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TCU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 77%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.