Texas A&M vs. TCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Texas A&M University College Station in College Station, TX with Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas A&M University College Station is larger than TCU based on total student enrollment (78,321 students vs. 12,938 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Texas A&M University College Station is located in College Station, TX (Small City setting); Texas Christian University is in Fort Worth, TX (Large City setting).
• Texas A&M University College Station is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Texas A&M University College Station 20:1; Texas Christian University 14:1.

Texas A&M vs. TCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Texas A&M or TCU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Texas A&M University College Station than TCU ($21,437 vs. $41,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas A&M University College Station are 22.1% lower than at Texas Christian University ($13,008 vs. $16,700).
• Texas Christian University is 369.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Texas A&M (about $48,586 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $13,154.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.9% higher at TCU than at Texas A&M University College Station (about $21,616 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $40,124.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Christian University than at Texas A&M University College Station (80% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Christian University students is 178% larger than aid received by Texas A&M University College Station students ($34,975 vs. $12,580).

Texas A&M vs. TCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Texas A&M or TCU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between TCU and Texas A&M.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Texas A&M University College Station (1280) is 30 points higher than at TCU (1250).
• Incoming Texas A&M students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 28) as students at TCU (28).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Texas A&M University College Station 1150/1400; Texas Christian University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Texas A&M University College Station 25/31; Texas Christian University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Texas A&M - Test optional; TCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Texas A&M Dec 1, 2026; TCU Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Texas A&M students have the same average high school GPA (3.68) as students at TCU (3.68).
• Texas A&M has a higher acceptance rate (57.4%) than TCU (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 39.9% at Texas A&M vs. 24.7% at TCU.

Texas A&M vs. TCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Texas A&M and TCU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Texas A&M University College Station's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Texas Christian University's (74%).
• Graduates from Texas A&M University College Station earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than TCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $57,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas A&M University College Station graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than TCU graduates ($18,750 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Texas A&M graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TCU graduates ($193 vs. $222).
• More Texas A&M graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TCU students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 77%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.