HBU Admission Requirements

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HBU Admission Overview

HBU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year HBU admitted 84.4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.46 GPA (B+) and SAT 990-1190 / ACT 17-24. HBU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

HBU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

84.4%

Admission Standards

Easy

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Houston Christian University

Acceptance Rate

The HBU acceptance rate is 84.4%. Last year, 7,139 of 8,455 applicants were admitted. That is the 37th lowest acceptance rate in Texas.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into HBU and can you get accepted?

HBU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Houston Christian University typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.46. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 11% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

HBU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.46

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.46

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at HBU typically have around a 3.46 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. HBU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #28 in Texas for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Houston Christian University freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 3.24% Good
3.75 to 3.99 18.44% Good
3.50 to 3.74 29.8% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 24.63% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 12.83% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 10.32% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.74% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

HBU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

990-1190

Freshmen who sent SAT

33%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 500
  • Math 490
  • Composite 990
SAT 25th percentile scores for Houston Christian University

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 600
  • Math 590
  • Composite 1190
SAT 75th percentile scores for Houston Christian University

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at HBU typically score around a 1090 SAT (middle 50% 990–1190) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 57th percentile nationally. HBU ranks #26 in the state of Texas for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 990 to 1190

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

HBU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1090 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Houston Christian University
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1190+ Above 75th >91%
1090 to 1190 Avg + 84%-91%
990 to 1090 Avg - 73%-84%
Below 990 Below mid-50 <73%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

HBU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

17-24

Freshmen reporting ACT

6%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 15
  • Math 16
  • Composite 17
ACT 25th percentile scores for Houston Christian University

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 23
  • Math 24
  • Composite 24
ACT 75th percentile scores for Houston Christian University

Average ACT

Incoming testers at HBU typically have around a 20 ACT (mid-50 17–24) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 51st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. HBU places #42 among colleges in Texas for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 17 to 24

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to HBU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 20.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Houston Christian University
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
24+ Above 75th >92%
20 to 24 Avg + 84%-92%
17 to 20 Avg - 75%-84%
Below 17 Below mid-50 <75%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

51% of Houston Christian University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 20% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Houston Christian University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 20%
Top 25% of class 51%
Top 50% of class 82%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the HBU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Houston Christian University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 5,262 3,119 8,455
Accepted 4,551 2,538 7,139
Acceptance Rate 86% 81% 84%
Enrolled 426 325 751
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 9% 13% 11%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Houston Christian University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Houston Christian University application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Houston Christian University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Houston Christian University
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

HBU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 84.4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.46 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (990-1190); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to Houston Christian University often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=225399.

GPA calculator: Houston Christian University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026