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Abilene Christian University

#415 in US ranking Abilene, TX
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$63,262
Tuition & fees
$45,800
Avg. aid
$28,342
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
66%
SAT range
1070–1270
ACT range
22–28

Outcomes

Graduation rate
59%
Median salary
$48,324
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Abilene Christian University?

Abilene Christian University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, or SACSCOC, to award degrees. Institutional accreditation applies to the university as a whole; it is distinct from approval or accreditation of an individual professional program.

Institutional accreditation is relevant to eligibility for federal student aid and is commonly considered when other colleges evaluate transfer credit. It does not mean that another institution must accept every course. ACU's business school also holds specialized accreditation from AACSB International. Applicants to fields such as nursing, teaching, or other licensed professions should check the current standing of their particular program and the rules of the state where they hope to practice; university accreditation alone does not establish professional licensure eligibility.

What are the admission requirements at Abilene Christian University?

First-year applicants to Abilene Christian University generally need an undergraduate application and a secondary-school record showing high school completion or an equivalent credential. ACU is not an open-admission institution: applicants are reviewed for admission rather than admitted solely because they apply.

Institutional admissions reporting identifies the high school transcript and GPA as required information. Class rank and completion of a college-preparatory curriculum may be considered but are not listed as universal requirements. Recommendations are not generally required. SAT and ACT scores may be considered, rather than treated as a requirement for every applicant; students should confirm the test policy for their application term and for any scholarship or selective program.

In reported first-year admissions figures, ACU admitted about 66% of applicants. Among enrolled first-time students who submitted scores, the median SAT composite was 1160 and the median ACT composite was 25. Those medians describe score submitters, not a minimum needed for admission. Applicants educated in a language other than English may need to document English proficiency; TOEFL is identified in institutional reporting as a required test for applicable applicants. International, transfer, graduate, and program-specific applications can have different documents and deadlines.

What are the application fees and waivers at Abilene Christian University?

ACU's reported undergraduate application fee is $50. An application fee is a charge for processing an application, not an enrollment deposit or a payment toward tuition.

Fees and waiver options can depend on applicant type, application route, or a current admissions promotion. Before paying, an applicant who may qualify for a fee waiver should check the instructions in the application or ask admissions how to request one; paying first may make a waiver difficult to apply afterward. Transfer, graduate, and online applicants should check the fee displayed for their own application rather than assuming that the undergraduate figure applies.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Abilene Christian University?

ACU students interested in Army ROTC may be able to participate through the Army ROTC program hosted by Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. This is a cross-institution arrangement, not the same as ACU operating its own Army ROTC unit.

A student considering ROTC should confirm current cross-enrollment eligibility, where classes and training take place, and how ROTC courses fit an ACU degree plan with the host program and ACU advising. ROTC participation, scholarship selection, and a later service obligation are separate questions; receiving a scholarship is not automatic. Applicants interested in Air Force or Navy ROTC should verify an available participation arrangement before planning around either branch.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Abilene Christian University?

Abilene Christian University accepts transfer applicants and generally considers credit from other accredited colleges. Transfer enrollment is reported for fall, spring, and summer terms, though a particular major may have a more limited starting schedule.

Applicants should expect to provide official transcripts from every college attended. Whether a high school record is also needed can depend on the applicant's prior college coursework and the current admission rules. Admission to ACU does not, by itself, settle how many credits will count toward a particular major: course equivalencies, grades, degree requirements, and limits on transferred work all matter.

ACU reports that it accepts qualifying Advanced Placement credit and considers CLEP examinations and American Council on Education credit recommendations. These are potential credit pathways, not a promise that a particular exam or course will satisfy a major requirement. Transfer applicants should request an official, program-specific credit evaluation and ask which remaining courses must be completed at ACU, especially before leaving another institution or paying a deposit.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Abilene Christian University?

Abilene Christian University offers study-abroad opportunities, including programs associated with locations such as Oxford, England, and Leipzig, Germany. Options and destinations can change by term, and short-term experiences may differ substantially from semester-long study.

Before applying, students should establish whether a program is operated by ACU, arranged through a partner, or offered by another provider. They should also confirm course approval, degree applicability, housing arrangements, travel documents, and the full program budget. Financial aid may apply differently depending on the program and term, so a student should obtain both academic approval and an individualized aid review before committing to travel.

Abilene Christian University Admissions Factors

SAT range
1070–1270
4001600
ACT range
22–28
136
Acceptance rate
66%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
66%
Texas
84%
US
78%

12% of admitted students enrolled (906 of 7,482)

ACT scores of enrolled students

ACT in range 12-17
ACT in range 18-23
ACT in range 24-29
ACT in range 30-36

Abilene Christian University Admissions

Applicants
Total: 11,332
Admission
Total: 7,482
Enrolled
Total: 906
Women
Men

How to Apply to Abilene Christian University

Application fee

$50

Early Decision

No

Early Action

Yes, deadline November 1

Abilene Christian University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 791
Out-of-state: 86
International: 24

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 906
Transfer: 108

Abilene Christian University Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1160

Median composite ACT score

25

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

27.8%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

63.3%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Considered but not required

Recommendations

Neither required nor recommended

Formal demonstration of competencies

Considered but not required

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

No

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Study abroad

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Abilene Christian University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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