Houston Christian University

Private · Moderately Selective · TX

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School data & stats

TypePrivate

LocationTX · South

SettingUrban

Undergrads2,886

Student:faculty18:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate38.2%

6-yr grad rate49.1%

Drop-out rate30.7%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$39k

Out-of-state tuition$39k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity84.2%

Gender diversity59.1%

International4%

IdentityBaptist

Overview

Houston Christian University, known until recently as Houston Baptist University, is a private Christian university in southwest Houston affiliated with Texas Baptists. Its academic programs integrate Christian faith and liberal arts, and its location gives students direct access to one of the country's largest job and healthcare markets.

Academics

Nursing and business are the most established professional programs, both benefiting from Houston's size as a job market, and the university's liberal arts core carries an explicit Christian worldview integration across disciplines rather than confining faith to a religion department.

Campus & student life

The southwest Houston campus is suburban and faith-centered, with chapel and campus ministry programs a regular part of student life. Houston's scale gives students access to internships, healthcare systems, and cultural amenities well beyond what the campus itself offers, without the density of living downtown.

Getting in

Faith fit factors into the review alongside academic preparation, consistent with the university's Baptist affiliation, though the process is not highly selective overall.

After graduation

Nursing and business graduates find steady placement within the greater Houston job and healthcare markets, helped by the sheer scale and diversity of employers in the region.

Worth knowing

The university's name change from Houston Baptist University reflects an effort to broaden its identity somewhat while keeping its Christian mission and Texas Baptist affiliation intact.

hc.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate84.4%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 990–1190 · ACT 17–24

Test policyoptional

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

AdmissionRolling

Applying