Houston Christian University (HCU)
Private nonprofit four-year university in Houston, TX that costs an average of $19,294 a year after financial aid, admits 84% of applicants and graduates 48% of full-time students.
Net price / year
$19,294
Acceptance rate
84%
Graduation rate
48%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$60,634
Private nonprofitLarge city2,886 undergraduates
Cost of HCU
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $51,936 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $40,680 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $13,469 |
| Books and supplies | $1,000 |
| Average net price after aid | $19,294 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $19,028 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $19,950 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $18,229 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $25,170 |
| $110,001+ | $25,664 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with HCU's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 84% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,084 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 500–600 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 490–590 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 17–24 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 48% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 69% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $47,429 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $60,634 |
| Rank in Texas (earnings) | 32nd of 93 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $22,021 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $250 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 63% |
| Students with federal loans | 58% |
Majors and programs at HCU
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (48)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 124 | $85,242 | $22,125 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies | 117 | $51,037 | $23,875 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 82 | $50,335 | $21,500 |
| Psychology | 129 | $38,981 | $22,334 |
| Biology | 75 | $32,920 | $22,082 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 86 | $28,285 | $18,875 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 20 | — | — |
| Behavioral Sciences | 1 | — | — |
| Bible/Biblical Studies | 13 | — | — |
| Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education | 7 | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 29 | — | $18,833 |
| Chemistry | 13 | — | — |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | — | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 15 | — | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 2 | — | — |
| Computer Science | 12 | — | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 21 | — | — |
| Design and Applied Arts | 15 | — | — |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 11 | — | — |
| Engineering | 17 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 8 | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 20 | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 30 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 9 | — | — |
| Graphic Communications | 2 | — | — |
| Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities | 32 | — | $24,156 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences | 10 | — | — |
| History | 6 | — | — |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 4 | — | — |
| International Business | 12 | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | — | — | — |
| Marketing | 36 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 3 | — | — |
| Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 4 | — | — |
| Music | 23 | — | — |
| Non-Professional Legal Studies | 15 | — | — |
| Philosophy | 1 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | 7 | — | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 1 | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 9 | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 3 | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 4 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | — | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 14 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 17 | — | — |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | 1 | — | — |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 2 | — | — |
| Visual and Performing Arts | — | — | — |
Certificate programs (5)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 1 | — | — |
| Business/Commerce | 1 | — | — |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 7 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | — | — | — |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 3 | — | — |
Master's degree programs (28)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 104 | $106,002 | $48,874 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 88 | $85,964 | $49,711 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 29 | $69,855 | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 28 | $64,476 | $46,228 |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 78 | $58,939 | $46,854 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 188 | $58,322 | $56,043 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 43 | $56,432 | $41,000 |
| Psychology | 57 | $55,666 | $47,833 |
| Behavioral Sciences | 7 | — | — |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 2 | — | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | — | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 3 | — | — |
| Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research | 4 | — | — |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design | 27 | — | $36,609 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 15 | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 1 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 18 | — | — |
| History | 7 | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 4 | — | — |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 21 | — | — |
| Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 4 | — | — |
| Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology | — | — | — |
| Philosophy | 6 | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | — | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 14 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 14 | — | — |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | 2 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 4 | — | — |
Doctoral degree programs (3)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 37 | — | — |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 8 | — | — |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | — | — | — |
Graduate certificate programs (11)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | — | — | — |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | — | — | — |
| Business/Commerce | — | — | — |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | — | — | — |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | — | — | — |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 2 | — | — |
| International Business | — | — | — |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 1 | — | — |
| Marketing | — | — | — |
| Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology | 3 | — | — |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | — | — | — |
Similar colleges in Texas
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mary Hardin-Baylor | Belton | $29,143 | 96% | $59,613 |
| Abilene Christian University | Abilene | $27,943 | 66% | $61,376 |
| University of St Thomas | Houston | $15,446 | 90% | $64,410 |
| Trinity University | San Antonio | $22,962 | 26% | $79,620 |
| Saint Edward's University | Austin | $26,034 | 81% | $64,695 |
| Dallas Baptist University | Dallas | $25,954 | 89% | $58,159 |
| Wayland Baptist University | Plainview | $23,421 | 56% | $55,564 |
| St. Mary's University | San Antonio | $17,775 | 98% | $59,258 |
About HCU
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Houston, TX |
| Setting | Large city |
| Undergraduates | 2,886 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 18 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
| Website | hc.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is HCU's acceptance rate?
Houston Christian University admits 84% of applicants. Admitted students average 1,084 on the SAT.
How much does HCU cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $51,936 a year (tuition and fees: $40,680). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $19,294 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $19,028.
How much do HCU graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $60,634 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 32nd of 93 similar colleges in Texas. The best-paid bachelor's program is registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing ($85,242 a year after graduation).
What is HCU's graduation rate?
48% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 69% of first-year students return for a second year.