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Houston Christian University

Houston Christian University

Houston, TX · City · 2,886 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$20,629
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
49%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
54% typical
$55,933
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,177 typical
84%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Houston Christian University is a private, faith-based institution renowned for integrating a Christian worldview with strong professional preparation, particularly through top-tier programs in nursing, education, business, and Christian apologetics. The student experience is characterized by a close-knit, spiritually active campus culture that balances small-class mentorship with the energy of NCAA Division I athletics. Distinctively, the university leverages its suburban campus location to provide direct clinical and internship pipelines into the nearby Texas Medical Center and Houston's global business sector, while also housing the world-class Dunham Bible Museum on campus.

Wikipedia:Houston Christian University (HCU), formerly Houston Baptist University (HBU), is a private university in Houston, Texas, United States. It is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Its Cultural Arts Center houses three museums: the Dunham Bible Museum, the Museum of American Architecture and Decorative Arts, and the Museum of Southern History.

Location
Houston, TX, 77074-3298 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
HOU · Houston Hobby
15 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$39,430
Housing & food (on campus)$12,928
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$61,818
Average net price$20,629
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$39,430
Housing & food (on campus)$12,928
Books & supplies$1,000
Cost of attendance$61,818
Average net price$20,629
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: hc.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Houston Christian University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$39,250
Fees$2,800
Books & supplies$1,330
Personal expenses$2,802
Transportation$1,919
Total published by the school$61,818
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$17,933
$30–48k
$18,998
$48–75k
$19,803
$75–110k
$24,079
$110k+
$28,640
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
49%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
38%
Back for yr 2
69%
Transferred
35%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
47% graduated · 37% transferred · 16% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$44,595
10 yrs after entry$55,933
Debt
Median at graduation$22,642
Monthly payment$240
Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$25k
90th percentile$31,250
Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (larger programs): $55,177 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
84%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1084
R 500–600 · M 490–590
ACT midpoint
25
Comp 17–24 · E 15–23 · M 16–24
SAT middle 50%: 990–1190
40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Houston Christian University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 41%Women 59%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
18 : 1
Pell grant
56%
First-gen
36%
Family income
$38,544
Independent
19%
Age at entry
22.0
Part-time
23%
Race & ethnicity
White
16%
Hispanic
39%
Black
24%
Asian
5%
Two or more
3%
Non-resident
4%
Unknown
9%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Beach Volleyball
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$44,595
After 10 yrs
$55,933
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing76
Psychology, General64
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General57
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness41
Business Administration, Management and Operations34
Biology, General28
Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities21
Marketing18
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology17
Finance and Financial Management Services15
Film/Video and Photographic Arts13
Criminal Justice and Corrections12
Accounting and Related Services12
Music9
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods8
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas8
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$138M
Full-time faculty
35%
Faculty salary
$8,257/mo
Teaching spend
$5,467
per student
Federal loans
59%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (larger programs)
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if Houston Christian University is the right fit for you?

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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