TCU vs. UTSA

Comparable Facts

Compare Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX with The University of Texas at San Antonio in San Antonio, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Texas at San Antonio is larger than TCU based on total student enrollment (35,770 students vs. 12,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Texas Christian University is located in Fort Worth, TX (Large City setting); The University of Texas at San Antonio is in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting).
• Texas Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at San Antonio is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Texas Christian University 14:1; The University of Texas at San Antonio 24:1.

TCU vs. UTSA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCU or UTSA? 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 The University of Texas at San Antonio than TCU ($10,959 vs. $41,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at San Antonio are 10.7% lower than at Texas Christian University ($14,912 vs. $16,700).
• Texas Christian University is 585.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTSA (about $52,729 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $9,011.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 180% higher at TCU than at The University of Texas at San Antonio (about $39,689 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $22,051.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Christian University than at The University of Texas at San Antonio (80% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Christian University students is 208.6% larger than aid received by The University of Texas at San Antonio students ($34,975 vs. $11,332).

TCU vs. UTSA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas Christian University (1250) is 140 points higher than at UTSA (1110).
• Incoming TCU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at UTSA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Texas Christian University 1140/1350; The University of Texas at San Antonio 1000/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Texas Christian University 26/31; The University of Texas at San Antonio 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCU - Test optional; UTSA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TCU Feb 1, 2027; UTSA Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TCU students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at UTSA (3.36).
• UTSA has a higher acceptance rate (86.8%) than TCU (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.7% at TCU vs. 27.1% at UTSA.

TCU vs. UTSA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCU and UTSA? 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 The University of Texas at San Antonio's (27%).
• Graduates from Texas Christian University earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than UTSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,600 vs. $47,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas Christian University graduates have a $1,483 lower median loan debt than UTSA graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,983).
• Among borrowers, TCU graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UTSA graduates ($222 vs. $237).
• More TCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTSA students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 55%)

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.