Texas A&M University-College Station vs Texas Christian University
Admission Difficulty: TCU proves more selective with a 56.1% acceptance rate compared to Texas A&M's 62.7%, though both maintain competitive standards.
Cost and Value: Texas A&M offers significant financial advantages for in-state students at $13,099 annually versus TCU's $57,220 tuition. Out-of-state students pay $40,328 at A&M. Average net prices reflect this gap: $20,924 at A&M versus $33,531 at TCU. A&M graduates carry less debt ($17,804 vs $21,500) but earn slightly more ten years post-graduation ($72,097 vs $68,424).
Academic Strengths: A&M excels in engineering, agriculture, and veterinary medicine, leveraging its research university status and massive scale with 59,099 students. TCU focuses on business, communications, and liberal arts within its smaller 10,919-student environment. TCU provides more personalized attention with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio compared to A&M's 19:1.
Campus Experience: A&M's Aggie traditions and Corps of Cadets create a distinct military-influenced culture in College Station. TCU offers a more traditional private college atmosphere in Fort Worth's urban setting. Both maintain strong athletic programs and similar retention rates (94.3% TCU, 94.2% A&M).
Outcomes: A&M achieves an 83.8% six-year graduation rate while TCU reaches 85.6%, both indicating strong student success despite different institutional sizes.
A&M suits students seeking affordable education with strong STEM programs and traditional school spirit, while TCU appeals to those prioritizing small classes, personalized attention, and liberal arts focus despite higher costs.
Admission Difficulty: TCU proves more selective with a 56.1% acceptance rate compared to Texas A&M's 62.7%, though both maintain competitive standards.
Cost and Value: Texas A&M offers significant financial advantages for in-state students at $13,099 annually versus TCU's $57,220 tuition. Out-of-state students pay $40,328 at A&M. Average net prices reflect this gap: $20,924 at A&M versus $33,531 at TCU. A&M graduates carry less debt ($17,804 vs $21,500) but earn slightly more ten years post-graduation ($72,097 vs $68,424).
Academic Strengths: A&M excels in engineering, agriculture, and veterinary medicine, leveraging its research university status and massive scale with 59,099 students. TCU focuses on business, communications, and liberal arts within its smaller 10,919-student environment. TCU provides more personalized attention with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio compared to A&M's 19:1.
Campus Experience: A&M's Aggie traditions and Corps of Cadets create a distinct military-influenced culture in College Station. TCU offers a more traditional private college atmosphere in Fort Worth's urban setting. Both maintain strong athletic programs and similar retention rates (94.3% TCU, 94.2% A&M).
Outcomes: A&M achieves an 83.8% six-year graduation rate while TCU reaches 85.6%, both indicating strong student success despite different institutional sizes.
A&M suits students seeking affordable education with strong STEM programs and traditional school spirit, while TCU appeals to those prioritizing small classes, personalized attention, and liberal arts focus despite higher costs.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Texas A & M University-College Station | Texas Christian University | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 62.7% | 56.1% |
| SAT Average | 1,270 | 1,250 |
| Enrollment | 59,099 | 10,919 |
| In-State Tuition | $13,099 | $57,220 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $40,328 | $57,220 |
| Net Price | $20,924 | $33,531 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 83.8% | 85.6% |
| Retention Rate | 94.3% | 94.3% |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $72,097 | $68,424 |
| Median Debt | $17,804 | $21,500 |
Top Programs by Earnings
Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.
| Texas A & M University-College Station | Texas Christian University | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Earnings | Program | Earnings |
| Petroleum Engineering. | $92,124 | Computer Systems Analysis. | $71,351 |
| Marine Transportation. | $86,129 | Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $71,015 |
| Chemical Engineering. | $80,669 | Engineering, General. | $69,338 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $77,062 | Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $68,666 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $77,024 | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $66,737 |