Texas Tech University
West Texas's big R1 campus, with published admission guarantees, wind and energy research and Big 12 game days.
- Acceptance rate
- 69%
- First-year applicants for fall 2025 (Common Data Set 2025-26)
- Students
- 42,209
- 34,021 undergraduates
- International
- 2%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 21:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- $24,451
- From · 2026-27
About Texas Tech
Texas Tech University was founded in 1923 as Texas Technological College in Lubbock, on the Llano Estacado (Southern High Plains) of West Texas, and has grown into a comprehensive R1 research university with 42,209 students in fall 2025, including 34,021 undergraduates. It is one of only two universities in Texas with a graduate school, law school and medical school on its main campus (the medical school belongs to the separate Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center).
Undergraduates choose from about 150 degree programs across colleges including the Whitacre College of Engineering, Rawls College of Business, Huckabee College of Architecture, Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources and the Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts. Research spending tops $289 million a year, with specialisms such as the National Wind Institute, founded after the 1970 Lubbock tornado.
Admission is transparent: applicants in the top 10% of their high school class are assured admission, and others are assured with published ACT or SAT scores for each class-rank quarter; everyone else gets a holistic review. Texas Tech is test-optional and admitted about 69% of applicants for fall 2025. It suits students who want a large, spirited Big 12 campus, strong engineering, business and agriculture, and low costs.
From here, it's possible
University motto
Why students choose Texas Tech
Assured admission is published: top 10% of your class with no test minimum, or for example ACT 24 / SAT 1180 in the first quarter of your class.
Non-Texans who win a competitive scholarship of $1,000 or more can pay in-state tuition, cutting international tuition and fees from $24,451 to $12,191.
Engineering (named for AT&T and GM chief Edward Whitacre Jr.) and the Rawls College of Business are among the programs that only admit students who meet assured-admission standards.
More than 450 student organizations, 17 varsity teams in the Big 12 and traditions such as the Masked Rider and Carol of Lights.
Admissions
First-year applicants for fall 2025 (Common Data Set 2025-26)
26,634 admitted from 38,566 applicants
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
7,579 first-years enrolled. Texas residents made up 33,395 of the applicants and 23,726 of the admits; out-of-state applicants were admitted at about 65% (2,312 of 3,560) and international applicants at about 36% (574 of 1,582). Rawls College of Business, Whitacre College of Engineering, Interior Design and some science majors only admit students who meet assured-admission criteria.
Typical entry requirements
| Assured admission (class rank + test) | Top 10%: no test minimum; first quarter: ACT 24 / SAT 1180; second quarter: ACT 26 / SAT 1240; third quarter: ACT 27 / SAT 1280; fourth quarter: application review |
|---|---|
| Texas high school curriculum | Foundation High School Program diploma at minimum; the Distinguished Level of Achievement is recommended and required for Top 10% automatic admission |
| International secondary school record | Unofficial transcripts for review, official high school transcripts before the first semester; SAT or ACT optional |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 · TOEFL iBT 79 TOEFL iBT 79 (tests before January 21, 2026) or 4 on the new scale; TOEFL Essentials 8.5; IELTS Academic 6.5; Duolingo 100; PTE Academic 60; SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 500; ACT English 21; Cambridge CAE grade B or CPE grade C; also IB English score of 4 or A-level English grade C. |
Deadlines
- Priority scholarship deadline Non-binding Next deadline · In 56 daysDecember 1, 2026
Apply by this date for priority consideration for fall 2027 scholarships; scholarship awards are based on the admission application. Initial decisions are released from mid-September, then usually within 2-4 weeks.
- Priority application deadline (summer and fall 2027) Non-binding In ~7 monthsMay 1, 2027
Domestic freshman applicants; rolling review.
- International priority application deadline (summer and fall) Non-binding In ~8 monthsJune 1, 2027
International freshman applicants; the international priority scholarship deadline is also December 1.
Dates are from Texas Tech's Important Dates page for 2027 entry and its international application page (month and day). ApplyTexas opens July 1 and the Common App August 1. Presidential Merit Scholarships are guaranteed for qualifying freshmen admitted by April 1.
How to apply
ApplyTexas or the Common App (one application per cycle); $75 application fee (waivers available for domestic applicants); official high school transcript with class rank; optional SAT/ACT; essays and up to three letters of recommendation are optional but strongly encouraged if you do not meet assured-admission criteria. International applicants add proof of English proficiency and financial documents for the I-20.
What admissions looks for
- Class rank and test scores, which together determine assured admission.
- Academic performance and preparation, including the rigor of honors, AP or IB courses.
- Extracurricular activities, leadership experience and civic or other service.
- Socioeconomic background, family educational background, special talents or awards, and unique experiences.
Tips for applying to Texas Tech
- 1 Check the assured-admission table: if your class rank and ACT/SAT meet it, you are admitted automatically; if not, add essays and up to three recommendation letters.
- 2 Want engineering or business? Both only admit students who meet assured-admission criteria, so plan your test scores accordingly.
- 3 Apply by December 1 for priority scholarship consideration; Presidential Merit Scholarships are set by test score and unweighted GPA, and non-Texans who receive one pay in-state tuition.
- 4 Decide carefully whether to apply test-optional: the choice applies to both admission and scholarships and cannot be changed after your decision.
- 5 National Merit Finalists who name Texas Tech as first choice before April 1 can receive 100% of the cost of attendance.
What are your chances?
Sign up to see your personalized admission chances for Texas Tech University
Sign up to see your chancesCosts & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in USD
Texas Tech awards more than $230 million in scholarships and grants. Freshmen are considered for scholarships automatically through the admission application, with a priority deadline of December 1. Non-resident and international students who receive a competitive scholarship worth $1,000 or more a year may qualify for an in-state tuition waiver, and non-residents awarded a Presidential Merit Scholarship also pay in-state tuition. National Merit Finalists who designate Texas Tech first can receive 100% of the cost of attendance.
- $29,783 / $42,382, including books, transportation and miscellaneous costs
- 2026-27 cost of attendance (Texas resident / non-resident)
- $42,581 including health insurance ($30,321 with a competitive scholarship tuition waiver)
- 2026-27 cost of attendance, international student
- More than $230 million
- Scholarships and grants awarded
- Guaranteed for qualifying freshmen admitted by April 1; non-resident recipients pay in-state tuition
- Presidential Merit Scholarship
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Engineering (Whitacre College)
Ten ABET-accredited engineering programs; renamed in 2008 after a $25 million AT&T gift honouring alumnus Edward Whitacre Jr.
Business (Rawls College)
AACSB-accredited and limited to students who meet assured-admission standards.
Wind science and engineering
The National Wind Institute grew out of research after the 1970 Lubbock tornado and now covers energy systems, atmospheric measurement and wind engineering.
Architecture (Huckabee College)
Architecture has been taught at Texas Tech since 1927, and the professional Master of Architecture is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board.
Agricultural sciences (Davis College)
Research on cotton fibre properties and protective fabrics, rooted in the region's cotton country.
Research
- More than $289 million in annual research expenditures and 55 research centres and institutes.
- The National Wind Institute, founded after the 1970 Lubbock tornado, and the Institute for Critical Infrastructure Security.
- Texas Tech has produced five astronauts, including Columbia commander Rick Husband.
Schools & faculties
- Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources
- Huckabee College of Architecture
- College of Arts & Sciences
- Jerry S. Rawls College of Business
- College of Education
- Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering
- College of Health & Human Sciences
- College of Media & Communication
- J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts
- Honors College
- School of Law
- School of Veterinary Medicine
College Scorecard: median earnings of $62,454 ten years after entry (and $52,588 six years after entry) for federally aided students.
Student life
Texas Tech is a big, traditional campus: 88.9% of first-years live on campus, more than 450 student organizations run activities, and about 12% of men and 16% of women join Greek life. Game days revolve around football and the Masked Rider, the mascot who has led the team onto the field since the 1950s. Each December the Carol of Lights begins with a carillon concert from the 46 bells of the Administration Building, followed by a torchlight procession and the lighting of the campus.
- The Red Raiders are charter members of the Big 12 Conference; the Lady Raiders won the 1993 NCAA title and the men's track team won national titles in 2019 and 2024.
- The Masked Rider tradition began in 1936 and became official in 1954.
- The Carol of Lights, sponsored by the Residence Halls Association, lights up campus every December.
- More than 450 student organizations and students from 108 countries.
Housing. 88.9% of first-year students lived in university housing in fall 2025; about three-quarters of all undergraduates live off campus.
Location
Lubbock is a mid-sized city on the Southern High Plains (Llano Estacado) of West Texas, and the university, its law school and the Health Sciences Center are central to city life. The Museum of Texas Tech runs the Lubbock Lake Landmark, an archaeological site with 12,000 years of human history inside the city. Texas Tech also has regional campuses elsewhere in Texas, but the main campus experience is firmly West Texan: open skies, a big-university town and Big 12 sports.
Nearest airport: Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport (LBB)
Notable alumni
- EW Edward Whitacre Jr.Former chairman and CEO of AT&T and General Motors; BS in industrial engineering
- RH Rick HusbandNASA astronaut and commander of Space Shuttle Columbia's final mission; BS in mechanical engineering (1980)
- JR Jerry RawlsCo-founder and chairman of Finisar; BS in mechanical engineering (1967)
- PM Patrick MahomesKansas City Chiefs quarterback; played college football at Texas Tech
- SS Sheryl SwoopesWNBA star; led the Lady Raiders to the 1993 NCAA championship
- JD John DenverSinger-songwriter; studied architecture at Texas Tech before leaving in 1963 (non-degree)
Frequently asked questions
What is Texas Tech's acceptance rate?
For fall 2025, Texas Tech admitted 26,634 of 38,566 first-year applicants, about 69%. International applicants were admitted at about 36%.
Is Texas Tech test-optional?
Yes. You can apply with or without SAT/ACT scores; test-optional applicants are reviewed holistically. International students educated outside the US do not need the SAT, though scores help with scholarships.
What are Texas Tech's assured admission requirements?
Top 10% of your class with no minimum test score, or ACT 24 / SAT 1180 in the first quarter, ACT 26 / SAT 1240 in the second quarter and ACT 27 / SAT 1280 in the third quarter. Others receive an application review.
When should I apply to Texas Tech for fall 2027?
Apply by December 1, 2026 for priority scholarship consideration. The priority application deadline is May 1, 2027 (June 1 for international applicants), and decisions are released on a rolling basis from mid-September.
How much does Texas Tech cost for out-of-state and international students?
For 2026-27, non-resident tuition and fees are $24,451 and the cost of attendance is $42,382 ($42,581 for international students including health insurance). A competitive scholarship of $1,000 or more can qualify you for in-state tuition.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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