UT Dallas vs. TCU

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson, 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 Dallas is larger than TCU based on total student enrollment (29,886 students vs. 12,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Texas at Dallas is located in Richardson, TX (Small City setting); Texas Christian University is in Fort Worth, TX (Large City setting).
• The University of Texas at Dallas 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 Dallas 23:1; Texas Christian University 14:1.

UT Dallas vs. TCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UT Dallas 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 Dallas than TCU ($14,916 vs. $41,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at Dallas are 13.6% lower than at Texas Christian University ($14,430 vs. $16,700).
• Texas Christian University is 321.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UT Dallas (about $47,096 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $14,644.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.8% higher at TCU than at The University of Texas at Dallas (about $21,596 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $40,144.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Christian University than at The University of Texas at Dallas (80% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Christian University students is 134.6% larger than aid received by The University of Texas at Dallas students ($34,975 vs. $14,909).

UT Dallas vs. TCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Texas at Dallas (1290) is 40 points higher than at TCU (1250).
• Incoming UT Dallas students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 28) as students at TCU (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Texas at Dallas 1160/1410; Texas Christian University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Texas at Dallas 24/32; Texas Christian University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UT Dallas - Test optional; TCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UT Dallas May 1, 2027; TCU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UT Dallas students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at TCU (3.68).
• UT Dallas has a higher acceptance rate (65.1%) than TCU (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.3% at UT Dallas vs. 24.7% at TCU.

UT Dallas vs. TCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UT Dallas 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 Dallas's (61%).
• Graduates from The University of Texas at Dallas earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than TCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $57,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas at Dallas graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than TCU graduates ($18,750 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UT Dallas graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TCU graduates ($193 vs. $222).
• More TCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UT Dallas students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 64%)

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.