TCU vs. Texas Tech

Comparable Facts

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

Texas Tech University is larger than TCU based on total student enrollment (40,757 students vs. 12,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Texas Christian University is located in Fort Worth, TX (Large City setting); Texas Tech University is in Lubbock, TX (Midsize City setting).
• Texas Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Texas Christian University 14:1; Texas Tech University 20:1.

TCU vs. Texas Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCU or Texas Tech? 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 Texas Tech University than TCU ($16,919 vs. $41,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Tech University are 35.7% lower than at Texas Christian University ($10,742 vs. $16,700).
• Texas Christian University is 420.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Texas Tech (about $49,888 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $11,852.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 152.5% higher at TCU than at Texas Tech University (about $37,289 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $24,451.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Christian University than at Texas Tech University (80% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Christian University students is 233.3% larger than aid received by Texas Tech University students ($34,975 vs. $10,494).

TCU vs. Texas Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TCU or Texas Tech? 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 Texas Tech and TCU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas Christian University (1250) is 60 points higher than at Texas Tech (1190).
• Incoming TCU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Texas Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Texas Christian University 1140/1350; Texas Tech University 1090/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Texas Christian University 26/31; Texas Tech University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCU - Test optional; Texas Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCU Feb 1, 2027.
• 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 (72.6%) than TCU (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.7% at TCU vs. 27.1% at Texas Tech.

TCU vs. Texas Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCU and Texas Tech? 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 Texas Tech University's (61%).
• Graduates from Texas Tech University earn a median of about $900 more per year than TCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,500 vs. $57,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas Christian University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Texas Tech graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, TCU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.