Texas Christian University (TCU) Tuition and Fees

By Susan Guillory

(Last Updated – 05/2023)

Total Cost of Attendance

Established in 1873, Texas Christian University (TCU) frequently makes the lists for the top universities in the nation. TCU tuition in 2023-24 is estimated at $57,130. This is higher than the national average for four-year private nonprofit institutions of $39,400.

Estimated Costs for 2023-24

Financial Aid

At Texas Christian University, the majority of students (87%) use some form of financial aid to help with TCU tuition. This includes student loans, grants, and scholarships. TCU is need-blind, which means your ability to pay for college isn’t considered with your application.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students that qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, and financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and non-profit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state and federal and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

There are both private and federal student loans available to TCU students: 28% take out federal loans and 10% take out private loans. The average private student loan is $27,820.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for as it generally may have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school throughout the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

The cost to attend TCU for four years (based on 2023-24 numbers) would be $291,280. This is just above the average of $230,280 for four years of school at a U.S. private university, according to CollegeData.com.

Here’s some Texas Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Estimated Costs for 2023-24

In 2023-24, the cost for tuition, fees, and room and board is $71,930.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Estimated Costs for 2023-24

For graduate students, TCU tuition and fees total $35,724 in 2023-24. The average cost for tuition for graduate school at a private institution in the United States is much lower, at $23,130 per year. There are graduate loans available to help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

Some students opt to attend Texas Christian University part-time. In this case, they pay TCU tuition on a per-credit-hour basis of $1,870 on average. You may also be eligible to take out student loans as a part-time student.

Campus Housing Expenses

Estimated Costs for 2023-24

*Starting studio pricing based on available apartments on an off-campus housing website in 2023.

Students under the age of 21 who don’t live with family are required to live on campus at TCU. There are 15 residence houses, some for freshmen, some for upperclassmen, and some mixed residences.

Students who choose to live off-campus have many options near the university, including houses, duplexes, and apartments.

Texas Christian University Acceptance Rate

Fall 2022

The TCU acceptance rate of 56% means that the university accepts almost half of the students who apply.

Admission Requirements

Here’s what’s required and recommended with your application to TCU:

Required:

•  High school transcript

•  Essay

•  Counselor and teacher recommendation/evaluation

Recommended:

•  SAT or ACT scores

November 1 is the deadline for Early Action, Early Decision, and Spring Admission. The deadline for Regular Decision and Early Decision II is February 1. You can apply to TCU here .

SAT and ACT Scores

Applicants are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores through 2024. Here are the scores at the 25th and 75th percentile at TCU:

Popular Majors at Texas Christian University

TCU offers 114 majors, including these 10 most popular programs.

1. Finance

Finance students gain valuable skills in finance, economics, and accounting, and learn about investments, budgets, and financial strategies.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 184

2. Nursing

TCU offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing that prepares students for careers in different medical and healthcare settings. They will learn critical thinking and clinical reasoning while getting hands-on experience in practice labs. Coursework includes anatomy, physiology, and pharmacotherapeutics.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 180

3. Strategic Communication

Students get a solid foundation in advertising and public relations while learning how to research and communicate on platforms including print, broadcast, online, and mobile. Students also have the opportunity to intern in the field.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 147

4. Marketing

After taking courses in marketing strategy, digital and social media, design, product innovation and brand management, and customer insights, students are well-prepared for a variety of careers in business and marketing.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 127

5. Communication Studies

Students in this program learn to develop speaking and written communication skills through courses in gender and communication, listening, family communication, power and influence in interpersonal communication, intercultural communication, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 107

6. Economics

Economics students are well-versed in a wide range of local and global economic issues and strategies and learn about the history of economic thought, regional and urban economics, Asian economics, economic geography, and health economics.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 95

7. Biology

The biology department offers a rigorous education and one that can help students get into medical school. In fact, TCU biology majors have 2x the acceptance rate for medical school than the national average. Coursework includes ecology, genetics, immunology, and virology.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 88

8. Psychology

Many psychology students go on to further their education after earning their undergraduate degrees. In this program, students learn about human neuropsychology, psychopharmacology, cognitive development, abnormal psychology, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 87

9. Accounting

After studying financial reporting, audit and assurance, risk and controls, and cost analysis and control, accounting students are prepared to start careers in accounting or business or continue their education at the Master’s level.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 82

10. Political Science

Political science majors learn how governments function in different states, countries, and regions. Coursework includes campaigns and elections, media and politics, Chinese foreign policy, constitutional law, global justice, and Mideast politics.

Undergraduate degrees in 2021-22: 76

Learn more about the majors at TCU here .

Graduation Rate

Here are the graduation rates for students who started their studies at Texas Christian University in 2015:

•  4 years: 71%

•  6 years: 83%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

Earnings for students who graduate from TCU are, on average, $63,517 per year. This is higher than the national average for graduates of four-year institutions, which is $55,260 per year.