UT Arlington vs. TCU

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Texas at Arlington is larger than TCU based on total student enrollment (44,956 students vs. 12,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Texas at Arlington is located in Arlington, TX (Large City setting); Texas Christian University is in Fort Worth, TX (Large City setting).
• The University of Texas at Arlington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Texas at Arlington 23:1; Texas Christian University 14:1.

UT Arlington vs. TCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UT Arlington 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 The University of Texas at Arlington than TCU ($13,755 vs. $41,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at Arlington are 32.8% lower than at Texas Christian University ($11,228 vs. $16,700).
• Texas Christian University is 416.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UT Arlington (about $49,790 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $11,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.7% higher at TCU than at The University of Texas at Arlington (about $32,158 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $29,582.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Texas at Arlington than at Texas Christian University (88% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Christian University students is 188.4% larger than aid received by The University of Texas at Arlington students ($34,975 vs. $12,127).

UT Arlington vs. TCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UT Arlington 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 UT Arlington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas Christian University (1250) is 120 points higher than at UT Arlington (1130).
• Incoming TCU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 23 at UT Arlington).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Texas at Arlington 1010/1240; Texas Christian University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Texas at Arlington 19/27; Texas Christian University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UT Arlington - Test optional; TCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UT Arlington Jun 1, 2027; TCU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TCU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at UT Arlington (3.43).
• UT Arlington has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than TCU (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.4% at UT Arlington vs. 24.7% at TCU.

UT Arlington vs. TCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UT Arlington 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 The University of Texas at Arlington's (40%).
• Graduates from Texas Christian University earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than UT Arlington graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,600 vs. $51,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas at Arlington graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than TCU graduates ($18,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UT Arlington graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TCU graduates ($186 vs. $222).
• More TCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UT Arlington students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 56%)

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.