Abilene Christian University

Private · Moderately Selective · TX

Photo: Michael Barera (CC BY-SA 4.0)

School data & stats

TypePrivate

LocationTX · South

SettingUrban

Undergrads3,195

Student:faculty13:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate49.1%

6-yr grad rate59%

Drop-out rate19.5%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$44k

Out-of-state tuition$44k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity39%

Gender diversity59.6%

International4.3%

IdentityChurches of Christ

Overview

Abilene Christian University, in west Texas, is affiliated with the Churches of Christ and built its identity around integrating faith into daily campus life, including required chapel attendance. It is one of the larger and more nationally known Church of Christ-affiliated universities.

Academics

Business, communication sciences and disorders, and ministry and biblical studies are among ACU's strongest and most recognized programs, and the university has invested visibly in undergraduate research opportunities that are less common at schools its size. Class sizes stay small enough for close faculty relationships across most majors.

Campus & student life

Chapel is a near-daily, structured part of student life rather than an optional add-on, and that rhythm shapes the broader campus culture alongside a friendly, residential, Texas-university social scene. Athletics, competing at the Division I FBS level, have become a bigger part of campus identity in recent years.

Getting in

ACU emphasizes fit with its faith mission alongside academics, and applicants should expect the Churches of Christ affiliation and chapel requirement to be treated as central rather than incidental.

After graduation

Business and communication sciences and disorders graduates place well regionally and nationally, and ministry graduates often go on to serve Churches of Christ congregations directly, reflecting the university's close ties to its sponsoring denomination.

Worth knowing

Daily chapel is a real, enforced expectation for undergraduates, not a symbolic tradition, and prospective students uncomfortable with that structure should weigh it seriously before applying.

acu.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate66%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 1070–1270 · ACT 22–28

Test policyoptional

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

AdmissionRolling

Applying