TCU vs. Texas Tech

Should I go to Texas Christian University or Texas Tech University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if TCU or Texas Tech is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Texas Christian University vs. Texas Tech University comparison
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Texas Christian University Texas Tech University
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Overview

TCU Texas Tech
Location Fort Worth, TX Lubbock, TX
Setting Large City Midsize City
Enrollment 12,273 40,378
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #107 #449
Religious Affiliation Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website tcu.edu ttu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

TCU Texas Tech
Tuition (In State) $53,890 $8,935
Tuition (Out of State) $53,890 $21,205
Room & Board $14,250 $10,460
Avg Net Price $44,190 $17,896
Avg Grant Aid $28,048 $9,359
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 77%

Admission

TCU Texas Tech
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 16,197 35,400
Admitted 9,087 23,837
Acceptance Rate 56.1% 67.3%
Enrolled % 27.4% 28.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 3.76
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Very High Challenging
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 26/31 23/28
SAT Range 1140/1360 1090/1280
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 1, 2025

Academics

TCU Texas Tech
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 21:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Communication (18%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Engineering (10%)
  • Work and Family Studies (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)

Outcomes

TCU Texas Tech
Graduation Rate 74% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,600 $58,500
Making Student Loan Payments 77% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $222 $232

Diversity

TCU Texas Tech
% Men 39% 50%
% Women 61% 50%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 73% 60%
% Black 5% 6%
% Hispanic 11% 23%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 5% 5%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

TCU Texas Tech
% In-State 43% 90%
% Out-of-State 52% 9%

Campus

TCU Texas Tech
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Texas Tech University is larger than than TCU based on total student enrollment (40,378 students vs. 12,273 students)

TCU vs. Texas Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCU or Texas Tech?

  • Texas Christian University is 503.1% more expensive to attend than Texas Tech for in-state tuition ($53,890.00 vs. $8,935.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 154.1% higher at TCU than Texas Tech University ($53,890.00 vs. $21,205.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Texas Tech University than TCU ($17,896 vs. $44,190)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Tech University are 36.2% lower than costs at Texas Christian University ($10,460 vs. $14,250)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Texas Christian University than Texas Tech University (89% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Christian University students is 199.7% larger than aid received Texas Tech University ($28,048 vs. $9,359)

TCU vs. Texas Tech Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TCU or Texas Tech? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Texas Tech or TCU .

  • The average SAT score at Texas Christian University (1220) is 86 points higher than at Texas Tech (1134)
  • Incoming TCU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at Texas Tech (25)
  • Accepted freshman Texas Tech students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at TCU (3.68)
  • Texas Tech has a higher acceptance rate (67.3%) than TCU (56.1%)

TCU vs. Texas Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, TCU or Texas Tech? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Texas Tech and TCU.

  • The graduation rate at TCU is higher than Texas Tech University (74% vs. 61%)
  • Graduates from Texas Tech University earn on average $900 more per year than TCU graduates after ten years. ($58,500 vs. $57,600)
  • Texas Christian University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Texas Tech graduates. ($21,500 vs. $22,500)
  • TCU graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than Texas Tech graduates. ($222 vs. $232)
  • More TCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Texas Tech students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 66%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/