Texas Southern University Tuition and Fees

By Jennifer Calonia

(Last Updated – 06/2023)

Total Cost of Attendance

Texas Southern University is among the largest historically Black universities in the nation, with more than 7,500 students enrolled each year. This public university offers a wide variety of undergraduate programs, including Biological Sciences, Engineering, Health Administration, and more.

For the 2022-23 academic year, the Texas Southern University tuition was $9,173 for in-state students. This is below the national average of $10,940 for public universities. For students from out of state, the tuition was $21,413, which is less than the national average of $28,240

Costs for 2022-2023

Financial Aid

Nearly all Texas Southern University students have some form of financial aid. For example, in the 2020-21 year, 96% of undergraduates received some kind of aid. This includes federal and state grants, scholarships, and loans.

Explore financial aid options: Texas Student Loan & Scholarships.

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

•  Scholarship Search Tool

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

Of the students who use financial aid to cover Texas Southern University tuition, 55% have federal student loans. And 2% of Texas Southern undergraduates have private student loans that average $16,762.

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 projected cost of a four-year degree at Texas Southern University is $101,980, including tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other expenses. This is lower than the national average of $106,760. The four-year cost for out-of-state students would be 150,796. This is less than the national average of $175,960.

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

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2022-23

For the 2022-23 academic year, the undergraduate cost for Texas Southern University tuition, fees, and room and board totaled $18,837 for in-state students. Students who live out of state paid $31,077.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2022-23

The cost of Texas Southern University tuition and fees for graduate students is $8,328 for Texas residents, and $15,488 for non-residents. For comparison, the average national cost of a Master’s degree is $62,650, according to Education Data.

There are many options for graduate loans that can help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

The cost per credit hour at TSU Houston includes statutory tuition and designated tuition rates. For the fall 2021-22 academic year, the statutory cost per credit hour for residents was $50 with a minimum of $100. The designated tuition cost for residents was $197.21. Thus, the total cost per credit hour for in-state students wass $297.91 on a traditional plan. For students from out of state, the cost per credit hour on a traditional plan was $655.91, which included statutory and designated tuition. To graduate, students must have a minimum of 120 credit hours so undergraduate residents can expect to pay $35,749.20. The cost for non-residents is $78,709.20.

Campus Housing Expenses

Costs for 2022-23

*Based on Rentable pricing for a studio apartment for 12 months.

All freshmen at TSU Houston are required to live on campus during their first year. There are double-occupancy dormitory-style rooms, and the four freshmen towers are gender-specific. Additionally, freshmen must purchase a meal plan while residing on campus.

Upperclassmen can live on-campus or off-campus. For those who choose to live off-campus, the average rental cost of a studio apartment in Houston is $1,400 per month, according to Rentable. Students should note that rent leases might span an entire calendar year.

Texas Southern University Acceptance Rate

Fall 2021

The TSU acceptance rate is 63%, making the school moderately selective.

TSU Admission Requirements

To apply to Texas Southern, students need to submit the following:

Required:

•  High school GPA

•  High school transcript

•  Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), if applicable

Recommended:

•  College-preparatory program

•  Letter of recommendation

•  Formal demonstration of competencies

To apply as an undergraduate to TSU, these are the general freshman application deadlines:

•  Fall term – May 31

•  Spring term – December 1

SAT and ACT Scores

Although Texas Southern University does not require standardized test scores, students are welcome to submit their SAT/ACT test scores. Submitted scores will be considered. For reference, here are previous scores submitted to TSU.

Popular Majors at Texas Southern University

TSU undergraduate students can choose from among 169 different Bachelor’s degree programs across 10 colleges. These are the most popular majors at Texas Southern University.

1. Biology/Biological Sciences

The university offers General Biology Services as a comprehensive or pre-health professional option. The degree provides a foundation of biological courses, like Cell Biology, Microbiology, Conservation Biology, and Genetics.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 78

2. General Studies

This program has a broad curriculum that helps students reach their academic and future career goals. Courses include English, math, sciences, history, political science, and creative arts.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 75

3. Business Administration and Management

Those pursuing this business major take courses such as Management Principles, Entrepreneurship, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 70

4. Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration

In the Administration of Justice program, criminal justice students take courses in Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement and Introduction to Corrections, among many others.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 62

5. Psychology

This program provides a solid foundation in psychology and teaches psychology research methods, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation, and how to apply them.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 59

6. Radio and Television

Courses like Media and Society, Computer Applications in Communications, and Media Management & Marketing are included in TSU’s Radio and Television program. Through the curriculum, students receive hands-on training to prepare them for careers in media communications.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 46

7. Health/ Health Care Administration/ Management

By taking classes such as Health Policy, Healthcare Finance, and Health Care Organizations, students are prepared for a career in the healthcare field.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 44

8. Health and Wellness

Those majoring in Health and Wellness study Human Sexuality, Mental Health, and Diseases & Consumer Health, among many other classes. Graduates can go on to careers in athletic training and sports management.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 38

9. Social Work

The curriculum for this field of study includes courses on Social Legislation, Violence and Abuse in Families, and Social Welfare Policy. Students may opt for a career in child services or community social work.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 35

10. Banking and Financial Support Services

Students learn about investments, financial institutions, international finance, and financial management in this program. They can go on to seek opportunities in corporate finance, financial services, investment banking, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21:33

Graduation Rate

These are the graduation rates at Texas Southern University:

•  4 years: 10%

•  6 years: 23%

•  8 years: 26%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

TSU graduates earn a median annual salary of $36,251, according to the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data. This is below the national average of $55,260 for college graduates.