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

San Antonio, Texas · Private nonprofit · Selective · CDS 2024-2025

Acceptance rate
26%
12,506 applicants
Median SAT
1390
Mid 50: 1300–1470
In-state tuition
$53,676
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$23,464
after aid, what families pay
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Quick answer

Trinity University is a private nonprofit university in San Antonio, Texas that admits about 26% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $23,464 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Finance and Financial Management Services and Political Science and Government, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 84% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 4.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Trinity University is a private institution located in San Antonio, Texas with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Trinity University admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 26%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1390 and an ACT composite around 31. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $23,464 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Trinity University?

61% of enrolled students at Trinity University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.75, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
22.0%
3.75–3.99
39.0%
3.50–3.74
21.0%
3.25–3.49
13.0%
3.00–3.24
4.0%
2.50–2.99
1.0%
From the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Trinity University.

What does Trinity University weight in admissions?

Trinity University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean

Very Important3 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Class rank
  • Academic GPA
Important6 factors
  • Application essay
  • Recommendations
  • Interview
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent/ability
  • Character/personal qualities

SAT and ACT scores Trinity University typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 660–750, with an EBRW midpoint near 690. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 31–34. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1300
50th percentile1390
75th percentile1470
% submitting SAT33%
ACT Composite
25th percentile30
50th percentile32
75th percentile34
% submitting ACT15%
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 class49%
Top 25% of class85%
Top 50% of class98%
% submitting class rank53%

How much does Trinity University actually cost?

Published tuition is $53,676 for in-state students and $53,676 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $14,750 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $23,464 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 19% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition
Room and board$14,750
Average net price (after aid)$23,464
Application fee$0

Application deadlines and early decision data for Trinity University

Regular admission
Regular deadline2/1
Notification date3/15
Reply deadline5/1
Early admission
Offers Early DecisionYes
ED deadlineNovember 1
Offers Early Decision IIYes
ED II deadlineFebruary 1
ED acceptance rate (all rounds)48%
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineNovember 1

Will my child graduate from Trinity University?

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

Freshman retention
93%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
null%
finished on time
6-year graduation
83.7%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Trinity University

The most popular undergraduate programs at Trinity University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Finance and Financial Management Services and Political Science and Government. Across all programs, Trinity University confers roughly 316 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Finance and Financial Management Services program report a median income of about $105,372 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods55
Finance and Financial Management Services44$105,372
Political Science and Government39
Accounting and Related Services39$92,279
Economics38$88,904
Communication and Media Studies37$55,952
Computer and Information Sciences, General33$124,271
Research and Experimental Psychology31
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Trinity University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Trinity University disclosed 10 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 4.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 5 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
10
4.0 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
0
0.00 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
5
2.00 per 1,000
Burglary
3
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 2,505 enrolled.

Other colleges in Texas parents ask about

Next steps for Trinity University

Common questions parents ask about Trinity University

What GPA do I need for Trinity University?

61% of enrolled students at Trinity University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.75, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does Trinity University typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 660–750, with an EBRW midpoint near 690. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 31–34.

How much does Trinity University actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Trinity University after grants and scholarships is $23,464 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $53,676. Budget against the net figure.

Is Trinity University realistic for my child?

Trinity University admits 26% of applicants, so 660–750 SAT Math is target range and below 660 is a reach. Then check the $23,464 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Trinity University?

Trinity University accepts about 26% of applicants out of roughly 12,506 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.

Is Trinity University test-optional?

Yes. Trinity 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 Trinity University?

About 84% of students at Trinity University graduate within six years. 93% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Trinity University?

Trinity University's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 48%, compared with its overall rate of 26%. Applying ED can meaningfully improve admission odds, but it is a binding commitment to enroll if accepted.

What does Trinity University look for in applicants?

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

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

Trinity University is a private nonprofit institution located in San Antonio, Texas.

What are the most popular majors at Trinity University?

The largest undergraduate majors at Trinity University by annual graduates are Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Finance and Financial Management Services and Political Science and Government. The school awards about 316 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Trinity University safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Trinity University reported 10 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 4.0 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Trinity University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers