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#4 Best Private Colleges in Texas

TCU Admission Requirements

Fort Worth, Texas

 4 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Texas Christian University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

56.1%
Admission Difficulty for Texas Christian University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very High 
Applicant Competition Average 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at TCU is 56.1%.  Its admission rate is the 15th lowest in Texas.

Admission Selectivity

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

TCU is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 9,087 out of the 16,197 who applied were admitted.

Texas Christian University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.68. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 27% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into TCU?

56% 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.

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Admission Requirements in Brief

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

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.68 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1250 on the SAT
  • Score 28 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

TCU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.68*

Typical High School Grades 

B+

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

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into TCU are to have around a 3.68 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as TCU accepts 56% of students who apply.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at TCU is 3.68 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #14 in Texas for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since TCU 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 3.7 GPA range.

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.68 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

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TCU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Texas Christian University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 18% of students submitted SAT scores and 20% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1140-1360

Applicants Submitting SAT 

18%
SAT Scores for Texas Christian University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 580
Math 25th Percentile 560
Composite 25th Percentile 1140
SAT Scores for Texas Christian University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 680
Math 75th Percentile 680
Composite 75th Percentile 1360
Average SAT Score 1250

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at TCU is 1250 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1140-1360. Students who get into Texas Christian University score in the top 34 percent of all SAT test takers..  TCU ranks #11 in the state of Texas for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1250 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. TCU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1140 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1140, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1030, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Texas Christian 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 1250 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 1250, you have around a 56% chance of being admitted. A 1360 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 71% chance of getting in.

Texas Christian University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1360 and Above Good >71%
1250 to 1360 Avg + 56%-71%
1140 to 1250 Avg - 40%-56%
1030 to 1140 Reach 26%-40%
Less than 1030 Low <26%
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TCU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

26-31 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

20%
ACT Scores for Texas Christian University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 25
Math 25th Percentile 25
Composite 25th Percentile 26
ACT Scores for Texas Christian University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 34
Math 75th Percentile 30
Composite 75th Percentile 31
Average ACT Score 28

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

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

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to TCU is 28, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 26 and 31.  The school ranks #8 in Texas and #237 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 28. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 26 and score in the score in the top 18 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 24.

20 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Texas Christian University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Texas Christian 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 TCU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 28 score has around 56% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 73% with a 31 ACT score.

Texas Christian University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
31 and Above Good >73%
28 to 31 Avg + 56%-73%
26 to 28 Avg - 43%-56%
24 to 26 Reach 31%-43%
Less than 24 Low <31%
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High School Class Rank

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

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Texas Christian University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 9,937 6,260 16,197
Accepted 6,012 3,075 9,087
Acceptance Rate 61% 49% 56%
Enrolled 1,636 855 2,491
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 27% 28% 27%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

111

Applicants have 111 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2025.

Application Fee

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

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
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

Credits Accepted

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

Admission Requirements Summary

Because TCU is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.68 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1250 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1360 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 28 on the ACT places you in a strong position.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Texas Christian University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=228875 IPEDS survey data for Texas Christian University.

Last updated February 24, 2024

FAQs

Does Texas Christian University prefer SAT or ACT?

18% of students submit their SAT scores to TCU. 20% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Texas Christian University?

56% of those who apply are granted admission to TCU. Admission competition is low and the college has very high admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for Texas Christian University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1140 and 1360. The average SAT score is 1250. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for Texas Christian University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 26 and 31. The average ACT score is 28. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.