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#27 Best Public Universities in Texas

TSU Admission Requirements

Houston, Texas

 3 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Texas Southern University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

96.8%
Admission Difficulty for Texas Southern University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Extremely Easy 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at TSU is 96.8%.  Its admission rate is the 73rd lowest in Texas.

Admission Selectivity

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

Texas Southern University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 8,307 out of the 8,582 who applied were admitted.

Texas Southern University typically accepts and attracts "B" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.0. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 29% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into TSU?

97% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Texas Southern University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.0 or better
  • Earn B grades in high school
  • Score 910 on the SAT
  • Score 17 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

TSU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.0

Typical High School Grades 

B

What GPA do you need to get into Texas Southern University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into TSU are to have around a 3.0 high school GPA. You need about average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.0 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as TSU accepts 97% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at TSU is 3.0 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B letter grades and regularly score around 83-86 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #63 in Texas for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since TSU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.0 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Texas Southern University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 2.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 6.0% Good
3.50 to 3.74 10.0% Good
3.25 to 3.49 16.0% Avg +
3.00 to 3.24 20.0% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 40.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 6.0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

TSU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Texas Southern University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 32% of students submitted SAT scores and 14% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

820-1000

Applicants Submitting SAT 

32%
SAT Scores for Texas Southern University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 420
Math 25th Percentile 400
Composite 25th Percentile 820
SAT Scores for Texas Southern University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 510
Math 75th Percentile 490
Composite 75th Percentile 1000
Average SAT Score 910

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Texas Southern University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at TSU is 910 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 820-1000. Students who get into Texas Southern University score in the top 88 percent of all SAT test takers..  TSU ranks #64 in the state of Texas for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 910 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. TSU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 820 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 820, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 730, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Texas Southern University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 910 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 910, you have around a 97% chance of being admitted. A 1000 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 98% chance of getting in.

Texas Southern University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1000 and Above Good >98%
910 to 1000 Avg + 97%-98%
820 to 910 Avg - 94%-97%
730 to 820 Reach 90%-94%
Less than 730 Low <90%
Calculate My Chances 

TSU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

15-19 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

14%
ACT Scores for Texas Southern University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 13
Math 25th Percentile 15
Composite 25th Percentile 15
ACT Scores for Texas Southern University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 20
Math 75th Percentile 17
Composite 75th Percentile 19
Average ACT Score 17

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into TSU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to TSU is 17, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 15 and 19.  The school ranks #59 in Texas for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 17. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 15 and score in the score in the top 81 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 13.

14 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Texas Southern University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Texas Southern University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into TSU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 17 score has around 97% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 98% with a 19 ACT score.

Texas Southern University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
19 and Above Good >98%
17 to 19 Avg + 97%-98%
15 to 17 Avg - 94%-97%
13 to 15 Reach 90%-94%
Less than 13 Low <90%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

55% of Texas Southern University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 20% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Texas Southern University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 5%
Top 25% of class 20%
Top 50% of class 55%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Texas Southern University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 5,669 2,913 8,582
Accepted 5,522 2,785 8,307
Acceptance Rate 97% 96% 97%
Enrolled 1,574 798 2,372
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 29% 29% 29%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jul 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

234

Applicants have 234 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jul 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Texas Southern University is $42.

Application Requirements

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

Texas Southern University Application Requirements
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 Required to be considered for admission
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Texas Southern University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Texas Southern University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.0 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 910 and ACT of 17 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Texas Southern University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=229063 IPEDS survey data for Texas Southern University.

Last updated February 24, 2024