Texas Christian University (TCU)

Texas Christian University is a private institution that “provides more than enough resources to help each and every student.” Interdisciplinary study is encouraged, and there are “plenty of research opportunities to get involved in knowledge outside of the strict curriculum.” Leadership and experiential learning opportunities can be found throughout a student’s college career, with “a great network of connections within each major” that includes—even as an undergraduate—“access to helping professors with research and actual, practical community projects.” Adaptation is an important facet of a TCU education, and one student says that “academics are always improving with a great Honors program, new research opportunities, and new technology/class options every year.” One student appreciates having such “a deep dive of unheard topics, such as a class I took last semester on public apologies.” Students appreciate that their professors have plenty of “background experiences outside their academic career” in addition to “extensive knowledge on the subjects they teach,” and students note that these “unique” perspectives really “add to the classes you are in.” These willing mentors are also described as “very dedicated to their students” and “excited to interact with students in a positive, constructive manner.” At TCU, “the professors are rooting for our well-being and accomplishment of our goals.”

This is “a diverse, kind, and welcoming community” wherein “there are so many groups to get involved in and it’s heavily encouraged to do so.” Campus is said to feel more like a “collection of overlapping communities” and “there is a strong sense that students here are involved in more than one world at once.” Horned Frogs are “very driven and motivated to succeed in their classes but also manage their time well to have a balanced life outside of classes.” A “lot of folks [are] involved in Greek life or an organization on campus,” and “everyone seems to have a good friend group and people they do things with.” One says, “Everyone is so happy and nice. Just walking around, you feel better instantly because [of] the community.” While these friends are often made within classes, “it doesn’t matter what degree you’re pursuing, you can always meet other people who you can share talks, moments, and memories with.” As one student puts it, “Many students hold leadership roles, work jobs, participate in service, or compete in athletics, yet still make time to build genuine relationships.”

“Life at TCU is busy in the best way,” with most days being “a mix of classes, meetings, and being constantly on the move across campus.” The school “does a great job of making their students feel comfortable and at home on campus,” and there are “a lot of organizations and ways to get plugged in.” While this is a Big 12 school for varsity teams with “incredible to watch” sports, there is also a wide variety of intramural sports “ranging from video game tournaments, ping pong tournaments, all the way to outdoor soccer, indoor soccer, flag football, and the list goes on.” The school’s location also provides access to big sports teams and “a bunch of concerts in the [Dallas-Fort Worth] area that a lot of students go to.” Come springtime, “the campus comes alive and most people during their free time spend it outside on campus having a lot of fun and playing games.” Friendly faces are the norm, and it’s “common to see classmates supporting each other at athletic events, service projects, or student organization meetings.” Whatever you end up doing, “there is so much opportunity for students to interact with others.”

At Texas Christian University, students are known as Horned Frogs, and when it comes to the Center for Career & Professional Development, everybody hops to it. “TCU is about widening your horizons and working hard for future success,” and there’s a four-year career planner to back that up, one that gradually introduces students to the available resources and encourages internships and study abroad where appropriate. There are over 100 career events each year, from big bucket fall and spring expos to specific fairs for Actuaries or Engineering & Technology, plus webinars, showcases, and networking nights. As one student explains, “This school prioritizes to ensure that each student graduates and is able to find a job.” On-campus consultants are on call for anything, whether that's helping with the look of your résumé or portfolio, prepping you for an interview, or developing your personal brand. And the online FrogJobs network recommends opportunities based on the skills, interests, and majors you’ve listed. Finally, TCU also partners with other platforms to provide valuable skills through simulated work in everything from cybersecurity to accounting and health care. Overall, students report success with networking and appreciate that “TCU prepares you for the real world once you graduate.” The 2023 class achieved an 81 percent employment rate (or higher education enrollment) within six months of graduation, and per PayScale, their early career salary was around $70,800.