At $33,531/yr net price, Texas Christian University graduates earn $68,424/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $34,424/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $33,531 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $134,124 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $68,424/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$34,424/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 85.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,531/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,341/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,714/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $32,933/yr |
| $110,001+ | $49,598/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $157,472 | $82,000 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. | Master | $135,393 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $97,663 | $41,000 |
| Computer Systems Analysis. | Bachelor | $71,351 | $20,750 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $71,015 | $24,251 |
| Engineering, General. | Bachelor | $69,338 | $22,944 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $68,666 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $66,737 | $25,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $63,600 | $20,500 |
| Real Estate. | Bachelor | $63,005 | $25,000 |
The Risk Factor
85.6% of students at Texas Christian University graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
TCU gives you a solid but not spectacular financial return. You graduate at an 85.6% rate with median debt of $21,500, which is low enough that most of you can pay it off without strain on a $68,424 median salary. The 94% retention rate means you rarely pay for a year you don't finish. The math works for most of you who enroll.
The bachelor's programs that pay off cluster in a tight band near or above the school median: Computer Systems Analysis leads at $71,351, followed closely by Business Administration at $71,015, then Engineering, computer science, and nursing. Fort Worth's economy runs on business services, healthcare, and energy, so a business, engineering, or nursing degree from TCU puts you in local demand. The narrow gap between the top and median earnings is the real signal here: TCU doesn't produce a lot of runaway high earners, so if you pick a major outside these fields, expect earnings below $68,424.
The financial risk is the sticker price. At $33,531 net per year, this is an expensive private school, and the earnings don't tower over cheaper public options in Texas. Business administration carries the highest debt of the top programs at $24,251, and nursing runs $25,000.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families sharply. If your family earns under $48k, you pay between $12,341 and $15,531 a year, and TCU becomes a genuine bargain. Above $110k, you pay $49,598, close to full freight. The jump from the $48-75k tier to the $75-110k tier is steep, nearly doubling. If you land in one of the paying majors and qualify for the lower tiers, TCU is a strong bet. If you're full-pay and undecided on major, look harder at your public alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Texas Christian University worth the cost?
TCU graduates earn $68,424 after 10 years, which is modest considering the $33,531 annual net price. The ROI depends heavily on your major, with nursing and geology programs showing strong returns while many business graduates start around $70,000.
What are the best paying majors at Texas Christian University?
Nursing programs lead with graduates earning over $157,000, followed by geology at $135,000. Business administration shows mixed results, with some tracks reaching $97,000 while others stay around $71,000.
How much debt do Texas Christian University graduates have?
TCU graduates typically leave with $21,500 in debt, which is manageable compared to many private schools. The 85.6% graduation rate means most students complete their degrees, but the debt-to-income ratio varies significantly by program.
Does Texas Christian University provide good financial aid?
With a net price of $33,531, TCU offers substantial aid that brings costs down from the full sticker price. However, this still represents a significant investment that may not pay off for all majors given the $68,424 average graduate salary.