Getting in
For Fall 2025, 22,680 first-year students applied to TCU, 10,906 were admitted and 2,754 enrolled: an acceptance rate of 48.1%.
Source: TCU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By residency, first-year applicants, Fall 2025
| Applicants | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-state | 10,757 | 4,663 | 43.3% |
| Out-of-state | 10,483 | 5,818 | 55.5% |
| International | 1,277 | 338 | 26.5% |
| Unknown | 163 | 87 | 53.4% |
Source: TCU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1, residency table. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By school or major. TCU's Common Data Set reports one first-year acceptance rate for the whole university, with no rate by college or major.
Source: TCU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early decision. The Common Data Set gives one early decision count for fall 2025, not split into Early Decision I and II, and no early action counts.
Early decision, Fall 2025
| Plan | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I and II | 1,373 | 935 | 68.1% |
Source: TCU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C21. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Programs with extra requirements
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
You apply to TCU through one application. Some majors ask for more:
- Nursing. Nursing applicants answer two supplemental questions through an online form linked in the MyTCU portal after they apply: due November 15 for Early Action and Early Decision I, February 15 for Regular Decision and Early Decision II.
Source: TCU Admission, Nursing Supplement (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- School of Music. After you submit the TCU application, upload a prescreening video through the School of Music application. If selected, you are invited to audition.
Source: TCU School of Music, Undergraduate Apply and Audition (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Department of Theatre. BFA programs require an audition (Acting, Musical Theatre) or a portfolio review and interview (Design & Technology); Theatre Studies applicants choose either. Each starts with a prescreen on Acceptd. The BA program asks for an Acceptd prescreen and an interview.
Source: TCU Department of Theatre, Apply and Audition (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- School for Classical & Contemporary Dance. Every applicant submits materials on Acceptd and auditions. For fall 2027 entry, in-person auditions are November 13, 2026, January 29, 2027 and February 12, 2027, each with an application due four days before.
Source: TCU School for Classical & Contemporary Dance, Apply and Audition (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
For theatre and dance, you must also be admitted to TCU before the department's acceptance is final.
Source: TCU Admission, Apply as a First-Year Student (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Majors
120 majors across 7 schools. Every bachelor's degree major in TCU's official Majors & Programs finder, grouped by the college that offers it, with the degree it leads to. Minors, certificates and graduate programs are left out.
AddRan College of Liberal Arts33
- Anthropology (BA)
- Chinese (BA)
- Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies (BA)
- Creative Writing (BA)
- Criminology & Criminal Justice (BS)
- Digital Culture and Data Analytics (BS)
- Economics (BA)
- Economics (BS)
- Economics & Mathematics (BS)
- English (BA)
- French (BA)
- General Studies (BGS)
- Geography (BA)
- Geography (BS)
- German (BA)
- History (BA)
- International Economics (BA)
- International Economics (BS)
- International Relations (BA)
- Italian (BA)
- Latin American Studies (BA)
- Modern Language Studies (BA)
- Philosophy (BA)
- Philosophy (BS)
- Political Science (BA)
- Political Science (BS)
- Religion (BA)
- Sociology (BA)
- Sociology (BS)
- Spanish and Hispanic Studies (BA)
- Women & Gender Studies (BA)
- Women & Gender Studies (BS)
- Writing and Rhetoric (BA)
Source: TCU Majors & Programs (undergraduate program finder) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Bob Schieffer College of Communication10
- Cinema and Media Studies (BA)
- Communication Studies (BA)
- Communication Studies (BS)
- Film, Television and Digital Media (BA)
- Film, Television and Digital Media (BS)
- Journalism (BA)
- Journalism (BS)
- Sports Broadcasting (BA)
- Sports Broadcasting (BS)
- Strategic Communication (BS)
Source: TCU Majors & Programs (undergraduate program finder) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Louise Dilworth Davis College of Science & Engineering29
- Actuarial Science (BA)
- Actuarial Science (BS)
- Astronomy & Physics (BS)
- Biochemistry (BS)
- Biology (BS)
- Biology (BA)
- Chemistry (BS)
- Chemistry (BA)
- Child Development (BS)
- Child Development (BA)
- Computer Information Technology (BS)
- Computer Science (BS)
- Data Science (BS)
- Dietetics (BS)
- Earth Systems Science (BS)
- Engineering (BS)
- Environmental Science (BS)
- Food Management (BS)
- Geology (BS)
- Geology (BA)
- Mathematics (BA)
- Mathematics (BS)
- Neuroscience (BS)
- Nutrition (BS)
- Physics (BS)
- Physics (BA)
- Psychology (BS)
- Psychology (BA)
- Ranch Management (BS)
Source: TCU Majors & Programs (undergraduate program finder) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Education8
- Early Childhood-6th Grade Education (BSE)
- Educational Studies (BSE)
- Interdisciplinary Inquiry (BA)
- Interdisciplinary Inquiry (BS)
- Middle School Education (BSE)
- Professional Aviation (BS)
- Secondary Education (BSE)
- Youth Advocacy and Educational Studies (BS)
Source: TCU Majors & Programs (undergraduate program finder) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Fine Arts25
- Art Education (BFA)
- Art History (BA)
- Brass (BM)
- Brass (BME)
- Dance (BFA)
- Design Studies (BS)
- Fashion Merchandising (BS)
- Graphic Design (BFA)
- Interior Design (BFA)
- Music (BA)
- Music (BM)
- Music Education (BME)
- Music Theory & Composition (BM)
- Percussion (BM)
- Percussion (BME)
- Piano (BM)
- Piano Pedagogy (BM)
- Strings (BM)
- Strings (BME)
- Studio Art (BFA)
- Studio Art (BA)
- Theatre (BFA)
- Theatre (BA)
- Voice (BM)
- Voice (BME)
Source: TCU Majors & Programs (undergraduate program finder) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences7
- Health & Fitness (BS)
- Health Sciences (BS)
- Movement Science (BS)
- Nursing (BS)
- Physical Education (BS)
- Social Work (BSW)
- Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences (BS)
Source: TCU Majors & Programs (undergraduate program finder) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Neeley School of Business8
- Accounting (BBA)
- Business Information Systems (BBA)
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation (BBA)
- Finance (BBA)
- Finance With Real Estate (BBA)
- Management (BBA)
- Marketing (BBA)
- Supply Chain Management (BBA)
Source: TCU Majors & Programs (undergraduate program finder) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Deadlines for Fall 2027
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
| Plan | Apply by | Decision | Binding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Action | November 1 | By January 1 | No |
| Early Decision I | November 1 | By January 1 | Yes |
| Early Decision II | February 1 | By March 1 | Yes |
| Regular Decision | February 1 | By April 1 | No |
Early Action and Regular Decision admits pay the commitment deposit by May 1. For the Chancellor's Scholars program, TCU recommends applying by November 1 and to the John V. Roach Honors College by November 15.
Source: TCU Admission, Apply as a First-Year Student (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early Decision is binding and for students whose top choice is TCU: you submit the Early Decision Agreement with the application. Early Decision I admits commit by January 15; Early Decision II admits commit by March 15. Early Action is not binding: you have until May 1 to decide.
Source: TCU Admission, Apply as a First-Year Student (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Testing
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
TCU is test-optional through 2028: the SAT or ACT is not required for students graduating high school through 2028. If you send scores, TCU superscores each test and uses the better of the SAT or ACT, and under its "Do No Harm" policy it leaves out a submitted score that would hurt your admission or scholarship review. You may send unofficial scores yourself (official scores are needed only if you enroll); tests taken after February of senior year are not.
Source: TCU Admission, Standardized Tests (ACT/SAT) for First-Year Admission (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
The Common Data Set also marks the SAT or ACT as not required for fall 2027 applicants, but considered if submitted, with scores due by March 1.
Source: TCU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C8. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Applying next year?
For students applying in fall 2027, entering fall 2028
Not announced yet. When we checked TCU's admission pages on October 1, 2026, we found no announced changes for fall 2028 entry. The deadlines and rules above are for fall 2027 entry.
Source: TCU Admission, Standardized Tests (ACT/SAT) for First-Year Admission (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Cost, and what families paid after aid
The published cost of a year at TCU, 2026-2027:
| Tuition | $66,520 |
|---|---|
| Required fees | $90 |
| Food and housing (on campus) | $18,780 |
| Books and supplies | $700 |
| Transportation | $1,374 |
| Other expenses | $2,278 |
| Total | $89,742 |
For a full-time undergraduate living on campus. Tuition varies by program: the Common Data Set says 34% of full-time undergraduates pay more than this tuition.
Source: TCU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), sections G1, G4 and G5. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Average net price per year, by family income, 2023-24:
| Family income | Paid after grants |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $17,956 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $16,980 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $17,940 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $34,990 |
| Over $110,000 | $53,450 |
| All incomes | $36,660 |
What first-year, full-time students who received federal aid paid after grants and scholarships, by family income, in 2023-24, the latest year the Department of Education publishes. Your own price comes from TCU's aid offer.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Similar schools
Chosen for how close each is to Texas Christian University on acceptance rate, public or private, location and majors offered.
Southern Methodist UniversityDallas, TX · Private47.6% admitted$40,892 average net price
Baylor UniversityWaco, TX · Private52.2% admitted$41,104 average net price
Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY · Private48.8% admitted$38,793 average net price
George Washington UniversityWashington, DC · Private47.1% admitted$36,586 average net price
University of TulsaTulsa, OK · Private61.5% admitted$15,000 average net price
Admitted: each school's latest first-year acceptance rate, so the year can differ from school to school; each school's page names its year and source. Average net price: what federal aid recipients paid per year after grants, 2023-24, and the in-state figure for a public university.