UT Austin vs. TCU

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Texas at Austin in Austin, 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 Austin is larger than TCU based on total student enrollment (53,864 students vs. 12,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Texas at Austin is located in Austin, TX (Large City setting); Texas Christian University is in Fort Worth, TX (Large City setting).
• The University of Texas at Austin 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 Austin 18:1; Texas Christian University 14:1.

UT Austin vs. TCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UT Austin 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 Austin than TCU ($17,942 vs. $41,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at Austin are 11.2% lower than at Texas Christian University ($14,828 vs. $16,700).
• Texas Christian University is 428.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UT Austin (about $50,052 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $11,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.5% higher at TCU than at The University of Texas at Austin (about $16,832 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $44,908.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Christian University than at The University of Texas at Austin (80% vs. 42%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Christian University students is 155.6% larger than aid received by The University of Texas at Austin students ($34,975 vs. $13,681).

UT Austin vs. TCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Texas at Austin (1380) is 130 points higher than at TCU (1250).
• Incoming UT Austin students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 28 at TCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Texas at Austin 1250/1510; Texas Christian University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Texas at Austin 27/33; Texas Christian University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UT Austin - Required; TCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UT Austin Dec 1, 2026; TCU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UT Austin students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at TCU (3.68).
• TCU has a higher acceptance rate (44.5%) than UT Austin (26.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47.4% at UT Austin vs. 24.7% at TCU.

UT Austin vs. TCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UT Austin 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).

• The University of Texas at Austin's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Texas Christian University's (74%).
• Graduates from The University of Texas at Austin earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than TCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,600 vs. $57,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas Christian University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than UT Austin graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, TCU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UT Austin graduates ($222 vs. $230).
• More TCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UT Austin students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.