Private Nonprofit Institution Abilene, TX
Abilene Christian University
Four-year college
Abilene Christian University is a private nonprofit four-year college in Abilene, TX, focused on bachelor’s-level study with an urban campus setting, with about 3,195 undergraduates, an acceptance rate of about 66.0%, listed tuition around $44,200 and typical net price of $26,182 after grants, first-year retention of 80.5%, about 59.0% of students graduating within six years, and median earnings of $46,727 six years after enrollment.
Grade for Abilene Christian University
Letter grades from Best Universities methodology. Overall grade blends the categories below for schools in that ranking cohort.
Overall grade
C-
Best Universities compares this school with national benchmarks for similar institutions.
$26,182Average net price
59.0%Graduation rate
$46,727Median earnings, 6 years after entry
22.3%Pell Grant recipient share
Key facts for Abilene Christian University
Key rankings for Abilene Christian University
Where Abilene Christian University ranks among four-year colleges nationwide on selected cost and outcome measures. Rank 1 is best on that measure (lowest cost or debt; highest earnings, retention, or graduation). These are single-measure standings, not Best Universities list placement.
#1,355 of 1,811
Net Price
#789 of 1,816
Earnings
#657 of 1,808
Retention
#745 of 1,850
Graduation
#986 of 1,767
Debt
What stands out at Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University in Abilene, TX is a four-year college where bachelor’s-level study is the main focus.
- Midsize city
- 3,195 undergraduates
Key figures
What stands out
Both average net price after aid and six-year earnings register above national medians for similar schools, consistent with a higher cost that is paired with stronger early-career pay in this data.
First-year retention and graduation both track at or above national benchmarks for similar schools, suggesting relatively steady progress for students who start here.
Admission is more selective than the national middle for similar schools and Pell Grant use runs lower—typical of campuses where access is shaped more by selectivity than by very high financial need in the enrolled class.
Best Universities methodology explains how grades and ranked-list placements are calculated.
Student measures: Cost, completion, earnings, retention, and debt.
Institution context: Enrollment, demographics, faculty, setting, and admissions.
At a glance
Cost, outcomes & access at Abilene Christian University
Two related measures side by side for a quick scan.
Net Price and Earnings
Retention and Graduation
Acceptance and Pell Grant Share
Annual figures on one dollar scale, so bar lengths are comparable within this chart. Total cost of attendance covers tuition, fees, and living costs. Listed tuition is the price before aid; average net price is what students paid after grants and scholarships.
In-state tuition is above the national median of $19,284 for similar four-year colleges, while out-of-state tuition is above the national median of $26,816.
How Abilene Christian University compares
Figures are for four-year colleges. State, region, and national columns use the middle value (median) for similar schools; retention uses averages for region and nation. Region shown: Southwest (region 6).
Swipe sideways to compare state, region, and national figures.
| Measure | This school | State (TX) | Region | Nation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net price | $26,182Above national median | $18,896 | $16,748 | $19,923 |
| Earnings, 6 years | $46,727Above national median | $45,290 | $43,380 | $45,225 |
| Retention | 80.5%Above national median | 69.3% | 67.6% | 74.9% |
| Graduation | 59.0%Above national median | 48.2% | 46.1% | 54.4% |
| Acceptance rate | 66.0%Below national median | 83.9% | 83.9% | 77.0% |
| Pell share | 22.3%Below national median | 42.2% | 41.2% | 33.9% |
| Median debt | $24,250Above national median | $22,312 | $21,276 | $23,250 |
| 3-year cohort default rate | 0.0%About the same | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Recent 3-year cohort default rates are near zero because of the federal student loan payment pause and are not useful for school-to-school comparison.
Campus & institution details for Abilene Christian University
Campus overview
Undergraduate demographics
Share of undergraduates in each group. Gender and race or ethnicity are reported separately, so each set totals about 100%.
Confirm program details and current staffing on the college website.
Frequently asked questions about Abilene Christian University
Common questions about Abilene Christian University, answered with Best Universities cost and outcome figures. For how we rank schools, use the methodology link in the header; for deadlines and aid, rely on the college’s official site.
Where is Abilene Christian University located?
Abilene Christian University is located in Abilene, TX. If the college has more than one campus, confirm addresses and program locations on the school's official site or with the admissions office.
What kind of school is Abilene Christian University?
Abilene Christian University is a private nonprofit four-year college. Best Universities compares it with similar four-year institutions for ranking and benchmark purposes.
How much does it cost to attend Abilene Christian University (tuition and net price)?
Listed sticker tuition is $44,200 for in-state students and $44,200 for out-of-state students. Average net price (typical annual cost after grant and scholarship aid for full-time, first-time undergraduates) is about $26,182. Your actual net price depends on income, residency, and aid.
What is Abilene Christian University's acceptance rate?
The overall undergraduate acceptance rate is about 66.0% for the year shown. Selectivity can vary by program or campus; check admissions for the path you care about.
How large is Abilene Christian University's undergraduate student body?
Undergraduate enrollment is about 3,195. Enrollment changes over time and may span multiple campuses depending on how the school reports.
What are completion and earnings outcomes for Abilene Christian University?
Median earnings six years after entry at Abilene Christian University are roughly $46,727. Outcomes vary widely by major, occupation, and region. About 59.0% of students graduate on time or soon after. Individual trajectories differ from these population-level measures.
How does Best Universities rank Abilene Christian University?
Among similar schools nationwide, Abilene Christian University stands as follows on selected measures: Average net price (#1,355 of 1,811); Median earnings, 6 years after entry (#789 of 1,816); First-year retention (#657 of 1,808); Graduation rate (#745 of 1,850); Median loan debt (#986 of 1,767). Those are single-measure ranks, not a single overall list place. See the methodology page for how Best Universities builds ranked lists.
Where should I go for admissions and official information about Abilene Christian University?
For application deadlines, requirements, campus visits, and program lists, use Abilene Christian University’s official website. Best Universities publishes cost and outcome figures for comparison; it does not replace the institution’s admissions or financial aid office.
All figures for Abilene Christian University Expand to view
A fuller table of the figures Best Universities uses for this school. Useful if you are double-checking a number.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Institution | Abilene Christian University |
| Official website | www.acu.edu/ |
| City, state | Abilene, TX |
| School type | Four-year college |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 3,195 |
| Listed tuition (in-state) | $44,200 |
| Listed tuition (out-of-state) | $44,200 |
| Listed tuition (generic) | $44,200 |
| Total cost of attendance | $59,256 |
| Room and board (on campus) | $14,540 |
| Average net price | $26,182 |
| Median earnings, 6 years after entry | $46,727 |
| Median earnings, 8 years after entry | $52,257 |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $55,736 |
| Median loan debt | $24,250 |
| 3-year cohort default rate | 0.0% |
| First-year retention | 80.5% |
| Graduation rate (4-year programs) | 59.0% |
| Graduation rate (shorter programs) | Not reported |
| Acceptance rate | 66.0% |
| SAT average | 1,194 |
| ACT average | 25 |
| Pell Grant share | 22.3% |
| Share with federal loans | 39.9% |
| Part-time enrollment share | 2.9% |
| Campus setting | Midsize city |
| Student–faculty ratio | 13 |
| Avg monthly faculty salary | $8,928 |
| Full-time faculty share | 65.1% |
| Online only | No |
| HBCU | No |
| SAT midpoint, Math | 575 |
| SAT midpoint, Reading & Writing | 585 |
| Share of undergraduates, women | 59.6% |
| Share of undergraduates, men | 40.4% |
| Share of undergraduates, Black | 7.1% |
| Share of undergraduates, Hispanic | 18.9% |
| Share of undergraduates, White | 61.0% |
| Share of undergraduates, Asian | 2.0% |
| Share of undergraduates, two or more races | 4.0% |
| Share of undergraduates, international | 4.3% |
| Net price, family income $0–30k | Not reported |
| Net price, family income $30–48k | Not reported |
| Net price, family income $48–75k | Not reported |
| Net price, family income $75–110k | Not reported |
| Net price, family income $110k+ | Not reported |
Sources for Abilene Christian University
- About the federal data. U.S. Department of Education figures used for institutional characteristics, cost, admissions, enrollment, student outcomes, debt, and earnings on this page.
- Best Universities methodology. How grades and rankings are calculated.
Figures from the same school data Best Universities uses for rankings. Shortlist with them, then verify on the college’s official site.