Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Texas Christian University at a Glance
Texas Christian University (TCU) is a private research university in Fort Worth, Texas, United States. It was established in 1873 by brothers Addison and Randolph Clark as the AddRan Male & Female College. It is affiliated with the Christian Church.
1873
153 years old
$2.7B
$2.68 billion ( FY 2024)
12,980
11,152 undergrad · 1,828 grad
748
325 acres
Identity
Is Texas Christian University Worth It?
Texas Christian University offers moderate value at $36,660/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $68,424, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
With a 2.1-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
With a 86% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
How Texas Christian University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #2 of 11 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Syracuse University | 42 | $38,793 | $79,164 |
| #2 | Texas Christian University | 40 | $36,660 | $68,424 |
| #3 | Bellevue University | 34 | $17,550 | $61,289 |
| #4 | Loyola Marymount University | 32 | $48,381 | $78,349 |
| #5 | Baylor University | 32 | $41,104 | $65,793 |
| #6 | Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global | 32 | $16,898 | $59,986 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Texas Christian University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in TX.
Best Programs at Texas Christian University
The highest-earning program at Texas Christian University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $64,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $14,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Texas Christian University earns $64,600, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $14,400. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $18,750 in median debt vs. $20,364 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $36,660/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $64,600 | $64,600 | $18,750 |
| Engineering, General | $64,400 | $64,400 | $25,114 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $61,200 | $61,200 | $23,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $58,300 | $58,300 | $20,750 |
| Marketing | $49,000 | $49,000 | $22,375 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $48,500 | $48,500 | $18,500 |
| Economics | $47,300 | $47,300 | $21,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $46,100 | $46,100 | $22,871 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $45,600 | $45,600 | N/A |
| Design and Applied Arts | $45,100 | $45,100 | $20,500 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $42,100 | $42,100 | $20,250 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $40,000 | $40,000 | $21,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $38,900 | $38,900 | $19,500 |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $38,600 | $38,600 | $15,750 |
| Political Science and Government | $36,900 | $36,900 | $19,500 |
| Journalism | $36,600 | $36,600 | $21,992 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $29,100 | $29,100 | $20,500 |
| Psychology, General | $28,800 | $28,800 | $19,549 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $25,700 | $25,700 | $25,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $14,400 | $14,400 | $20,364 |
Similar Colleges in TX
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Fort Worth, TX
- Student Body
- 11,026 students
- Admission Rate
- 44%
- Graduation Rate
- 86%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $36,660
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $68,424
- Median Student Debt
- $21,500