SU vs. TCU

Southwestern University and Texas Christian University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Southwestern University
Texas Christian University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SU (43.1% admitted vs 44.5%). Typical SAT 1220 vs 1250.
  • Cheaper after aid: SU. Average net price is $32,228 vs $41,848 at TCU.
  • Graduation: SU 73% vs TCU 74%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: SU $57,400 vs TCU $57,600 (median).
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Key differences

Southwestern University Texas Christian University
Acceptance rate
SU more selective
SU43.1%
TCU44.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
TCU higher
SU1130-1300
TCU1140-1350
Average net price
SU $9,620 less
SU$32,228
TCU$41,848
In-state tuition
SU $7,927 less
SU$53,813
TCU$61,740
Out-of-state tuition
SU $7,927 less
SU$53,813
TCU$61,740
Graduation rate
TCU +1 pts
SU73%
TCU74%
Median earnings (10 years)
TCU +$200
SU$57,400
TCU$57,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • SU 6,313
  • TCU 22,307
  • Admitted
  • SU 2,718
  • TCU 9,925
  • Acceptance rate
  • SU 43.1%
  • TCU 44.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • SU 13.8%
  • TCU 24.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • SU 1220
  • TCU 1250
  • Typical ACT score
  • SU 28
  • TCU 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • SU 3.5
  • TCU 3.68
  • Typical high school grades
  • SU A-
  • TCU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • SU Challenging
  • TCU Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • SU Low
  • TCU Low
  • SAT range
  • SU 1130-1300
  • TCU 1140-1350
  • ACT range
  • SU 26-30
  • TCU 26-31
  • Submit test scores
  • SU Test optional
  • TCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • SU Feb 1, 2027
  • TCU Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • SU $53,813
  • TCU $61,740
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • SU $53,813
  • TCU $61,740
  • Room & board
  • SU $15,072
  • TCU $16,700
  • Average net price
  • SU $32,228
  • TCU $41,848
  • Average grant aid
  • SU $35,162
  • TCU $34,975
  • % receiving grant aid
  • SU 99%
  • TCU 80%
  • Graduation rate
  • SU 73%
  • TCU 74%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • SU $57,400
  • TCU $57,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • SU 80%
  • TCU 77%
  • Median student loan debt
  • SU $26,893
  • TCU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • SU $278
  • TCU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • SU 11:1
  • TCU 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • SU
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Education (8%)
  • TCU
    • Business (22%)
    • Communication (18%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • SU Georgetown, TX
  • TCU Fort Worth, TX
  • Setting
  • SU Distant Town
  • TCU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • SU 1,440
  • TCU 12,938
  • Type
  • SU Private 4 Year
  • TCU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • SU #196
  • TCU #110

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX with Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Texas Christian University is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (12,938 students vs. 1,440 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Southwestern University is located in Georgetown, TX (Distant Town setting); Texas Christian University is in Fort Worth, TX (Large City setting).
  • Southwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwestern University 11:1; Texas Christian University 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern University are 9.7% lower than at Texas Christian University ($15,072 vs. $16,700).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 14.7% higher at TCU than at Southwestern University (about $7,927 more per year; $61,740 vs. $53,813).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern University than at Texas Christian University (99% vs. 80%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern University students is 0.5% larger than aid received by Texas Christian University students ($35,162 vs. $34,975).

Admissions details

  • Incoming SU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 28) as students at TCU (28).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both SU and TCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SU Feb 1, 2027; TCU Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at TCU average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at SU (3.5).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at SU vs. 24.7% at TCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas Christian University graduates have a $5,393 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,893).
  • Among borrowers, TCU graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($222 vs. $278).
  • More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TCU students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 77%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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