Texas Southern University

  • 2/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Houston, TX
  • 3.0 3 reviews
#27 Best Public Universities in Texas

Overview

Total enrollment

8,704
Texas Southern University overview
Texas Southern University overview
  • Size Mid-size
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Texas Southern University, located in Houston's Third Ward district approximately three miles from downtown, is a public historically Black university established in 1927 as the Houston Colored Junior College. The 150-acre urban campus features a mix of modern and traditional buildings, including the recently renovated Leonard H.O. Spearman Technology Building and the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs. TSU is recognized for its programs in pharmacy, law, and communications, with the Thurgood Marshall School of Law and College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences serving as prominent academic anchors. The university maintains traditional residence halls and apartment-style housing for its predominantly undergraduate student population, while competing in NCAA Division I athletics as the Tigers in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).

Texas Southern University is a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) primarily serving the African-American community. Explore all HBCUs

Ratings

TSU is rated within the lower 12% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 2 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    2 out of 10
  • Academics
    1 out of 10
  • Resources
    3 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    1 out of 10
  • Value
    1 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy
Texas Southern University admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 800/1000
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 15/19
  • GPA 3.0

Acceptance Rate

96.9%
Texas Southern University applications overview
  • Applications Due Jul 15, 2027
  • Enrollment Rate 17.9%
  • Application Fee $42

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Texas Resident Tuition

$9,173

Out of State Resident Tuition

$21,473

Breakdown

In State Costs for Texas Southern University
  • Tuition $9,173
  • Books and Supplies $1,654
  • Other Fees $1,736
  • Room and Board $12,800
  • Budget for Other Expenses $6,028
  • Total One Year Cost $31,391

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$36,200 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

12% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Texas Southern University are Business, Health Professions, and Communication. 20% of students major in Business, 13% in Health Professions, and 9% in Communication.

  • Business 20%
  • Health Professions 13%
  • Communication 9%
  • Biology 9%
  • General Studies 7%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering Texas Southern University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=229063.

GPA calculator: Texas Southern University GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026