Paul Quinn College: 57.3% Acceptance Rate

57.3%Acceptance

$13,498Tuition

600Students

38%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$29,288Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindNAIAStudy AbroadData: 2023-24HBCUAfrican Methodist Episcopal

About Paul Quinn College

Paul Quinn College nearly closed its doors in 2007 before transforming into something unique among historically black institutions. The college eliminated its football program and converted the field into an organic farm that feeds the Dallas community. With 600 students on a city campus, this small HBCU has reinvented itself around the work college model where students gain hands-on experience while earning their degrees. The college accepts 57% of applicants and draws 80% of its students from Texas.

Students pay an average of $20,244 annually after financial aid, with nearly 70% receiving Pell Grants. Graduates earn a median of $29,288 ten years after leaving school while carrying typical debt of $23,373. The monthly loan payment of $248 represents a significant portion of early career earnings. For families earning under $30,000, the net price drops to $18,812, making the college accessible to low-income students.

Women outnumber men nearly two to one, with the student body being 69% Black and 16% Hispanic. The 55% retention rate reflects the challenges many students face, though the college's focus on practical skills and urban agriculture offers a distinctive path. Only 216 students can live on campus, creating an intimate residential experience for those who stay.

Academics & Faculty

Paul Quinn College rebuilt itself as a "work college" where students gain hands-on experience through campus jobs and community partnerships. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio provides close mentorship, though the 34% four-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many students face balancing work and academics. The college became nationally known for converting its football field into an organic farm, creating the "We Over Me" campus culture that emphasizes service over sports. Students can earn degrees in business, criminal justice, and other practical fields while gaining real work experience. The African Methodist Episcopal tradition shapes the values-centered curriculum, preparing graduates for careers in urban communities and nonprofit sectors.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 20:1
Full-Time Faculty: 20.9%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 34.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 38.1%
Retention Rate: 55.7%
Median Earnings (10 years): $29,288
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate College

Campus Life

Paul Quinn College sits in Dallas's Oak Cliff neighborhood, giving students direct access to the nation's fourth-largest metropolitan area. Only 216 students can live on the 14-acre campus, meaning most of the 600 enrolled commute from across the metro. Texas heat dominates the academic year, with students needing sunscreen and light clothing from August through October and March through May.

The campus revolves around Paul Quinn's signature urban farm, where students grow organic vegetables that supply the dining hall and local restaurants. This historically black college operates as a "work college," requiring every student to contribute 10-15 hours weekly to campus operations. Weekend life centers on Dallas's music scene, professional sports, and internship opportunities. With 69.76% of students receiving Pell Grants, many work part-time jobs while studying. The small size creates tight bonds among Tigers, though the 55.67% retention rate reflects financial pressures facing many students. Campus traditions blend African Methodist Episcopal heritage with modern urban agriculture, creating a unique environment where students learn business while literally growing food.

Setting: City-Large
Housing Capacity: 216 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1872

Campus Safety (2023)

7 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Dating Violence	2	2	0	0
Motor Vehicle Theft	0	0	0	3

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 37°–57°F
July Avg: 75°–95°F
Annual Precipitation: 37.7"
Annual Snowfall: 1.7"

Student Demographics

Paul Quinn draws students who believe in second chances and transformative education. Nearly 70% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college's mission to serve first-generation and lower-income families. Women make up almost two-thirds of the 600-student body, drawn to programs in social work, business, and education. About 80% come from Texas, creating a tight-knit community rooted in Dallas. The predominantly Black student population connects to Paul Quinn's HBCU heritage and its reputation for turning around lives through hands-on learning and urban agriculture.

Men: 36.7%
Women: 63.3%
White: 6.2%
Black: 68.7%
Hispanic: 15.8%
Asian: 0.8%
In-State Students: 80.3%
Pell Grant Recipients: 69.8%

Location

Paul Quinn College sits in Dallas, Texas, a major metropolitan area with over 1.3 million residents in the city proper and 7.6 million in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The campus occupies a historic South Dallas neighborhood known for its African American heritage and ongoing revitalization efforts. Dallas offers students access to major corporations, internship opportunities, and cultural attractions including deep barbecue traditions and professional sports teams. The urban setting contrasts with the college's modern focus on sustainable agriculture and urban farming initiatives right on campus. With 80% of students coming from within Texas, many are drawn to staying close to home while experiencing big city life. Students considering colleges in Texas may also compare Paul Quinn College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Dallas, Texas 75241

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $29,288
Median Earnings (5 years): $47,551
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $26,900
Loan Repayment Rate: 20.5%
Monthly Loan Payment: $248/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $23,373

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Paul Quinn College?

Paul Quinn College accepts 57.28% of applicants, making admission moderately competitive. This historically black college has transformed itself from near-closure into a distinctive work college focused on urban farming and practical education.

How much does Paul Quinn College cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $20,244, with 69.76% of students receiving financial aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay an average of $18,812, reflecting the college's commitment to serving first-generation and low-income students.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Paul Quinn College?

Paul Quinn College maintains a 20:1 student-faculty ratio with just 600 total students enrolled. The small size allows for personalized attention within this unique work college model that requires all students to participate in campus operations.

What are the graduation outcomes at Paul Quinn College?

The six-year graduation rate is 38.10%, with graduates earning a median salary of $29,288 ten years after enrollment. The college's focus on practical skills and work experience aims to prepare students for immediate employment in their communities.

Where is Paul Quinn College located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in Dallas, Texas, with housing for 216 students and seven NAIA varsity sports teams. Women make up 63.33% of the student body, while 68.67% of students identify as Black, reflecting its proud heritage as an HBCU founded in 1872.

What makes Paul Quinn College's approach to education unique?

Paul Quinn College operates as a work college where students contribute to campus operations, including managing an urban farm on the former football field. This modern model, developed after the college nearly closed, emphasizes practical experience and community engagement alongside traditional academics.