Texas Tech admits 70.9% of applicants, meaning roughly 7 in 10 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places Texas Tech in the Moderately Selective category, with admission rates between 50-75%. The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates Texas Tech is somewhat more selective than typical large public research universities, admitting about 7 percentage points fewer applicants than similar institutions. This level of selectivity means qualified students with solid academic credentials have favorable admission prospects, though the university maintains standards that require competitive preparation. Unlike highly selective institutions where even exceptional students face uncertainty, Texas Tech's 70.9% admission rate suggests that students meeting academic benchmarks have strong chances of acceptance. For students building college lists, Texas Tech represents a solid match option rather than a reach school. The selectivity level indicates the university can afford to be somewhat choosy while still maintaining broad access to higher education. Students should expect moderate competition for admission, with academic preparation being the primary factor in admission decisions.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students typically score 1090-1570 on the SAT, with a median of 1182 and the middle 50% falling between 1090-1270. SAT Math scores range from 540-630, while SAT Verbal scores span 550-640, indicating balanced academic preparation across quantitative and verbal skills. ACT scores range from 22-28 with a median of 26, placing admitted students well above national averages. Compared to peer institutions with a median SAT of 1198, Texas Tech admits students with slightly lower test scores, reflecting the institution's commitment to access alongside academic standards. The test score ranges indicate that most admitted students demonstrate strong academic preparation, with the 25th percentile representing students who may be at a competitive disadvantage but are not automatically excluded. Students scoring within the middle 50% ranges are academically competitive for admission, though test scores represent just one factor in the holistic review process. The 16-point difference from peer medians suggests Texas Tech balances academic selectivity with accessibility. Students should consider whether their academic profile aligns with these ranges when building their college list, understanding that scores below the 25th percentile require particularly strong performance in other areas of their application to remain competitive.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Texas Tech enrolls 25.8% Pell-eligible students and 32.4% first-generation students, indicating the university serves a substantial population from diverse economic backgrounds. While these shares are moderate compared to community colleges or regional public universities, they demonstrate Texas Tech's commitment to enrolling students who may be the first in their families to attend college or come from lower-income households. The 25.4% transfer share indicates that roughly one in four enrolled students began their higher education journey at another institution, suggesting pathways for students seeking to transfer after starting elsewhere. This student composition reflects an institution balancing academic preparation with economic and educational diversity. The substantial first-generation population suggests the university has experience supporting students navigating higher education without family precedent. Students from lower-income families should note that over a quarter of their peers will share similar economic backgrounds, potentially providing community and shared understanding. Transfer applicants should recognize that Texas Tech regularly admits transfer students, though the 25.4% share indicates more limited transfer enrollment compared to freshman admission.
Given Texas Tech's 70.9% admission rate, most qualified applicants should consider this a match rather than reach school. However, students seeking alternatives can explore these options:
Strong options in your region with comparable outcomes.
84.9% of Texas Tech freshmen return for sophomore year, compared to a peer median of 83.7%, indicating slightly above-peer retention performance. 67.5% of students graduate within six years, compared to a peer median of 65.9%, showing modest outperformance in degree completion. Pell-eligible students graduate at 60.4%, representing a 7.1 percentage point gap compared to the overall completion rate. This gap indicates some challenges for lower-income students in degree completion, though the 60.4% Pell completion rate itself reflects solid support systems for students from lower-income backgrounds. The retention and completion rates suggest that students who gain admission can expect reasonable institutional support for degree completion, with most freshmen persisting to graduation. Lower-income students should weigh the 7.1 percentage point Pell gap when considering this institution, though the absolute Pell completion rate of 60.4% demonstrates that many students from similar backgrounds successfully graduate. Prospective students should view these retention and completion rates as indicators of the academic environment and support systems they can expect to experience.
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