Overview
Enrollment
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).
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Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
TSU is rated within the lower 16% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 2 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Texas Southern University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#1013 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#428 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#53 in Best Colleges in Texas
#27 in Best Public Colleges in Texas
#134 in Best Value Colleges in Texas
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 800/1000 |
| ACT | 15/19 |
| GPA | 3.0 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jul 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $42 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Texas Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,654 |
| Other Fees | $1,736 |
| Room and Board | $10,914 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $6,028 |
| Total One Year Cost | $27,769 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,654 |
| Other Fees | $1,736 |
| Room and Board | $10,914 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $6,028 |
| Total One Year Cost | $40,369 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 20% |
| Health Professions | 13% |
| Communication | 9% |
| Biology | 9% |
| General Studies | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering TSU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=229063 IPEDS survey data for Texas Southern University.
Current students may use the Texas Southern University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025