About Texas Tech University
Texas Tech has built its reputation on engineering excellence and agricultural innovation since 1923. The university enrolls 32,446 students on its Lubbock campus, where future engineers work alongside agriculture majors in state-of-the-art facilities. Notable graduates include CBS News correspondent Scott Pelley and WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes. The Red Raiders compete in the Big 12 Conference, where their football program has earned national recognition.
Students pay an average net price of $20,071 after financial aid, with lower-income families paying just $13,922. Graduates earn a median salary of $62,454 ten years after graduation, which helps explain the manageable median debt load of $21,500. Monthly loan payments average $228, making Texas Tech degrees financially accessible for most graduates.
The student body splits almost evenly between men and women, with 92% coming from Texas. The acceptance rate of 67% means most qualified applicants gain admission with average SAT scores around 1185. With 437 varsity athletes competing across 13 sports, school spirit runs deep in Red Raider country. The 85% retention rate shows students find their place in this large university environment.
Students pay an average net price of $20,071 after financial aid, with lower-income families paying just $13,922. Graduates earn a median salary of $62,454 ten years after graduation, which helps explain the manageable median debt load of $21,500. Monthly loan payments average $228, making Texas Tech degrees financially accessible for most graduates.
The student body splits almost evenly between men and women, with 92% coming from Texas. The acceptance rate of 67% means most qualified applicants gain admission with average SAT scores around 1185. With 437 varsity athletes competing across 13 sports, school spirit runs deep in Red Raider country. The 85% retention rate shows students find their place in this large university environment.
Academics & Faculty
Texas Tech operates as a public research university with particularly strong engineering and agriculture programs that reflect its West Texas roots. The 21:1 student-faculty ratio means larger class sizes than at smaller colleges, though this is typical for major research institutions. Students benefit from extensive research opportunities across disciplines. The 67% four-year graduation rate suggests that while many students successfully complete their degrees on time, the large university environment requires self-motivation. Engineering students tap into the school's petroleum and wind energy research strengths. The agriculture program connects directly to the region's ranching heritage. Business and communications also draw significant enrollment numbers given the school's full offerings.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 21:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 83.7%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 67.1%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 67.5%
- Retention Rate
- 84.9%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $62,454
- Carnegie Classification
- Doctoral University (R1)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research. | Doctoral | $89,305 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $83,915 |
| Petroleum Engineering. | Bachelor | $83,325 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $75,706 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $74,017 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $73,562 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $73,530 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,596 |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,338 |
| Construction Engineering. | Bachelor | $68,139 |
Campus Life
Red Raider life centers around a sprawling 1,839-acre campus in the heart of West Texas. With housing capacity for 8,349 students and total enrollment of 32,446, roughly a quarter of students live on campus while most commute from around Lubbock. The city sits 350 miles from Dallas and Austin, creating a tight-knit college town atmosphere where Tech dominates the social scene.
Expect hot summers and mild winters with plenty of sunshine year-round. You'll need sunscreen more than heavy coats, though dust storms are part of the West Texas experience. With 13 varsity sports and 437 total athletes competing in the Big 12, game days transform the campus. Football Saturdays bring "Raider Power" chants and the famous Masked Rider tradition. The 84.87% retention rate reflects strong campus connections, while the 50-50 gender split and diverse student body create varied social opportunities. Students frequent the nearby Depot District for nightlife or gather at campus events. Greek life, intramural sports, and the active Student Union Program keep weekends busy when students aren't supporting the Red Raiders.
Expect hot summers and mild winters with plenty of sunshine year-round. You'll need sunscreen more than heavy coats, though dust storms are part of the West Texas experience. With 13 varsity sports and 437 total athletes competing in the Big 12, game days transform the campus. Football Saturdays bring "Raider Power" chants and the famous Masked Rider tradition. The 84.87% retention rate reflects strong campus connections, while the 50-50 gender split and diverse student body create varied social opportunities. Students frequent the nearby Depot District for nightlife or gather at campus events. Greek life, intramural sports, and the active Student Union Program keep weekends busy when students aren't supporting the Red Raiders.
- Setting
- City-Large
- Housing Capacity
- 8,349 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1923
Campus Safety (2023)
299 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stalking | 50 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 47 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Rape | 22 | 22 | 4 | 0 |
| Burglary | 16 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 19 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Domestic Violence | 15 | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| Fondling | 16 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 11 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| Robbery | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 29°–55°F
- July Avg
- 69°–92°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 19.4"
- Annual Snowfall
- 7.0"
Student Demographics
Texas Tech draws primarily from across Texas, with 92% of students calling the Lone Star State home. This strong local pull reflects the university's deep roots in West Texas and its reputation as an accessible research institution for state residents. The student body splits almost evenly between men and women, typical for a full university with strong programs in both traditionally male fields like engineering and agriculture, and female-dominated areas like education and health sciences. About a quarter of students receive Pell Grants, showing Tech serves middle-class Texas families seeking quality education at a reasonable price.
- Men
- 50.4%
- Women
- 49.6%
- White
- 53.2%
- Black
- 6.1%
- Hispanic
- 29.7%
- Asian
- 3.3%
- In-State Students
- 92.2%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 25.8%
Location
Texas Tech sits in Lubbock, a city of about 260,000 in the South Plains of West Texas. Dallas lies roughly 350 miles southeast, making Tech relatively isolated on the high plains. The university dominates this classic college town, where cotton fields stretch to the horizon and the landscape stays flat. Lubbock's elevation of 3,256 feet creates a high desert climate with dramatic sunsets and frequent wind. The city revolves around the university and agriculture, with 32,446 students making up a significant portion of the local population. Students considering colleges in Texas may also compare Texas Tech with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Lubbock, Texas 79409-5005
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $62,454
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $63,247
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $46,800
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 65.1%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $228/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $21,500
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Texas Tech University?
Texas Tech University accepts 67.34% of applicants, making it moderately selective. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1090 and 1280 on the SAT, with an average of 1185.
How much does Texas Tech University cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $20,071 annually after aid. In-state tuition runs $11,852 while out-of-state students pay $24,451, though 25.75% of students receive Pell Grants for low-income families.
What is Texas Tech University known for academically?
Texas Tech built its reputation on strong engineering and agriculture programs that serve the regional economy. With 32,446 students and a 21:1 student-faculty ratio, the university operates as a major research institution in West Texas.
What are the graduation outcomes at Texas Tech University?
Texas Tech graduates 67.50% of students within six years, while the employment rate reaches 95.3%. Alumni earn a median salary of $62,454 ten years after graduation with typical student debt of $21,500.
Where do students live at Texas Tech University?
The campus houses 8,349 students in residence halls, serving a student body that is 92.21% from Texas. Room and board costs $10,460 annually in this large city setting of Lubbock.
How competitive are athletics at Texas Tech University?
Texas Tech competes in the Big 12 Conference with 13 varsity sports and 437 total athletes. The Red Raiders football program has built a strong following, and the university awards $7,876,773 in athletic scholarships annually.
