Jefferson vs. TCU

Comparable Facts

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

Texas Christian University is larger than Jefferson based on total student enrollment (12,938 students vs. 8,238 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Thomas Jefferson University is located in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting); Texas Christian University is in Fort Worth, TX (Large City setting).
• Thomas Jefferson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Thomas Jefferson University 12:1; Texas Christian University 14:1.

Jefferson vs. TCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Jefferson 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 Thomas Jefferson University than TCU ($29,325 vs. $41,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Thomas Jefferson University are 5.2% lower than at Texas Christian University ($15,834 vs. $16,700).
• Texas Christian University is 30% more expensive for in-state tuition than Jefferson (about $14,235 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $47,505.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30% higher at TCU than at Thomas Jefferson University (about $14,235 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $47,505.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Thomas Jefferson University than at Texas Christian University (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Thomas Jefferson University students is 0.1% larger than aid received by Texas Christian University students ($35,007 vs. $34,975).

Jefferson vs. TCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Jefferson or TCU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between TCU and Jefferson.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Thomas Jefferson University (1250) is the same as at TCU (1250).
• Incoming TCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (28 vs. 27 at Jefferson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Thomas Jefferson University 1160/1330; Texas Christian University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Thomas Jefferson University 25/30; Texas Christian University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Jefferson - Test optional; TCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Jefferson Jul 31, 2027; TCU Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Jefferson students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at TCU (3.68).
• Jefferson has a higher acceptance rate (81%) than TCU (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Jefferson vs. 24.7% at TCU.

Jefferson vs. TCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Jefferson and TCU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Texas Christian University's six-year graduation rate is 74%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Jefferson.
• Graduates from Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of about $65,300 more per year than TCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $57,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Thomas Jefferson University graduates have a $9,000 lower median loan debt than TCU graduates ($12,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TCU graduates ($129 vs. $222).
• More Jefferson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TCU students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.