TCU Admission Requirements

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TCU Admission Overview

TCU admission requirements are competitive. Last year TCU admitted 44.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1140-1350 / ACT 26-31. TCU 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

TCU is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.tcu.edu/apply/first-year/testing-policy-sat-act.php

TCU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

44.5%

Admission Standards

Difficult

Applicant Competition

Average

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The TCU acceptance rate is 44.5%. Last year, 9,925 of 22,307 applicants were admitted. That is the 11th lowest acceptance rate in Texas.

Admission Selectivity

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

TCU is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 25% of those admitted chose to enroll.

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

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TCU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.68*

Typical High School Grades

A-

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.68*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

TCU has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.68 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. TCU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

*3.68 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

TCU Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

Texas Christian University is test-optional for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 admissions cycle. SAT or ACT scores are not required for students graduating high school through 2028. TCU uses a Do No Harm policy, so submitted scores are considered only if they help for admission or scholarships, and applicants may self-report scores. TCU superscores the SAT and ACT across test dates, does not require the writing or essay portion, and requires official scores from enrolled students. Test-optional applicants remain eligible for scholarships and the John V. Roach Honors College.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.tcu.edu/apply/first-year/testing-policy-sat-act.php

TCU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1140-1350

Freshmen who sent SAT

22%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 580
Math 560
Composite 1140

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 680
Math 670
Composite 1350

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at TCU typically score around a 1250 SAT (middle 50% 1140–1350) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 82nd percentile nationally. TCU ranks #10 in the state of Texas for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1140 to 1350

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

TCU 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 1250 SAT score range.

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

See my Chances for Admission

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 Texas Christian University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1350+	Above 75th	>60%
1250 to 1350	Avg +	45%-60%
1140 to 1250	Avg -	29%-45%
Below 1140	Below mid-50	<29%

What do these figures mean?

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

TCU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

26-31

Freshmen reporting ACT

21%

25th Percentile Scores

English 26
Math 25
Composite 26

75th Percentile Scores

English 34
Math 30
Composite 31

Average ACT

Incoming testers at TCU typically have around a 28 ACT (mid-50 26–31) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 88th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. TCU places #9 among colleges in Texas for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 26 to 31

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

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

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 28.0 ACT score range.

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

See my Chances for Admission

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 Texas Christian University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
31+	Above 75th	>63%
28 to 31	Avg +	44%-63%
26 to 28	Avg -	32%-44%
Below 26	Below mid-50	<32%

How to read these figures

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

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

74% of Texas Christian University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 40% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Texas Christian University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	40.2%
Top 25% of class	73.8%
Top 50% of class	94%

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 TCU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Texas Christian University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	13,397	8,910	22,307
Accepted	6,265	3,660	9,925
Acceptance Rate	47%	41%	44%
Enrolled	1,508	945	2,453
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	24%	26%	25%

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

Application Requirements

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

Texas 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	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Required to be considered for admission

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

133

Applicants have 133 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Texas Christian University is $50.

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

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Texas Christian University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	Yes

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

Admission summary

TCU is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 44.5% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1140-1350); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

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