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Texas Tech University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Lubbock, Texas · Public · Moderately selective · CDS 2025-2026

Acceptance rate
69%
38,566 applicants
Median SAT
1180
Mid 50: 1110–1260
In-state tuition
$11,852
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$19,070
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

Texas Tech University is a public university in Lubbock, Texas that admits about 69% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $19,070 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General and Marketing, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 70% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 5.2 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Texas Tech University is a public institution located in Lubbock, Texas with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Texas Tech University admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 69%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1180 and an ACT composite around 26. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $19,070 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Texas Tech University?

75% of enrolled students at Texas Tech University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.64, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
4.5%
3.75–3.99
33.3%
3.50–3.74
37.5%
3.25–3.49
17.6%
3.00–3.24
4.8%
2.50–2.99
2.0%
Below 2.50
0.3%
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Texas Tech University.
Calculate your child's GPA →

What does Texas Tech University weight in admissions?

Texas Tech University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

Very Important4 factors
  • • Rigor of secondary school record
  • • Class rank
  • • Academic GPA
  • • Standardized test scores
Important7 factors
  • • Application essay
  • • Recommendations
  • • Extracurricular activities
  • • Talent/ability
  • • Character/personal qualities
  • • Volunteer work
  • • Work experience

SAT and ACT scores Texas Tech University typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 540–640, with an EBRW midpoint near 600. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 23–28. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1110
50th percentile1180
75th percentile1260
% submitting SAT34.8%
ACT Composite
25th percentile23
50th percentile25
75th percentile28
% submitting ACT10.8%
Current testing policy
  • • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Considered if submitted

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

Top 10% of class25%
Top 25% of class54.3%
Top 50% of class84.5%
% submitting class rank99.9%

How much does Texas Tech University actually cost?

Published tuition is $11,852 for in-state students and $24,451 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $10,742 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $19,070 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 28% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition—
Room and board—
Average net price (after aid)$19,070
Application fee$75 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for Texas Tech University

Regular admission
Regular deadlineAugust 1
Notification dateRolling, beginning September 1
Reply deadlineNo set date
Rolling admissionsYes

Will my child graduate from Texas Tech University?

These predict outcomes at Texas Tech University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
85.4%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
null%
finished on time
6-year graduation
69.7%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Texas Tech University

The most popular undergraduate programs at Texas Tech University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General and Marketing. Across all programs, Texas Tech University confers roughly 2,589 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $80,948 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Business Administration, Management and Operations456$80,948
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General363$49,657
Marketing339$76,074
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences310—
Psychology, General303$49,483
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication292$58,729
Finance and Financial Management Services274$92,415
Computer and Information Sciences, General252$106,327
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Texas Tech University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Texas Tech University disclosed 169 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 5.2 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 98 violent offenses and 20 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
169
5.2 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
98
3.03 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
20
0.62 per 1,000
Burglary
6
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 32,394 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Texas Tech University?

About 24% of undergraduates at Texas Tech University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 12% of men join a fraternity and 16% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
24%
of undergraduates
In fraternities
12%
of men
In sororities
16%
of women
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Texas Tech University.

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Common questions parents ask about Texas Tech University

What GPA do I need for Texas Tech University?

75% of enrolled students at Texas Tech University had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.64, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does Texas Tech University typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 540–640, with an EBRW midpoint near 600. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 23–28.

How much does Texas Tech University actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Texas Tech University after grants and scholarships is $19,070 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $11,852 and $24,451 out of state. Budget against the net figure.

Is Texas Tech University realistic for my child?

Texas Tech University admits 69% of applicants, so 540–640 SAT Math is target range and below 540 is a reach. Then check the $19,070 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Texas Tech University?

Texas Tech University accepts about 69% of applicants out of roughly 38,566 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.

Is Texas Tech University test-optional?

Yes. Texas Tech University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.

What is the graduation rate at Texas Tech University?

About 70% of students at Texas Tech University graduate within six years. 85% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

What does Texas Tech University look for in applicants?

Texas Tech University rates course rigor, class rank, GPA and test scores as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is Texas Tech University a public or private school, and where is it located?

Texas Tech University is a public institution located in Lubbock, Texas.

What are the most popular majors at Texas Tech University?

The largest undergraduate majors at Texas Tech University by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General and Marketing. The school awards about 2,589 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Texas Tech University safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Texas Tech University reported 169 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 5.2 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at Texas Tech University?

At Texas Tech University, 24% of undergraduates live on campus, 12% of men are in fraternities, 16% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Texas Tech University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers