


Huston-Tillotson University is a private, historically Black university in Austin, Texas, whose roots reach back to the founding of Tillotson College in 1875. Its present identity also reflects Samuel Huston College, founded in 1900.
The two institutions merged in 1952 to form Huston-Tillotson College. Their histories connect the university to educational opportunities for Black students in Texas during and after Reconstruction. The institution adopted the name Huston-Tillotson University in 2005. Prospective students will still encounter that history in its historically Black college and university identity, religious affiliations, and Austin campus traditions.
Huston-Tillotson offers a range of undergraduate programs across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, education, business, and technology. Students considering a major should use the current academic catalog to confirm its degree requirements and whether it is accepting new students.
Representative fields include biology, chemistry, computer science, business administration, criminal justice, psychology, communication, history, and teacher education. Graduate study is also offered. The catalog matters particularly for students pursuing teaching or another regulated profession: earning a degree and qualifying for a state license are related but distinct steps, and the requirements can depend on the specific program.
Reported staffing includes 47 full-time and 86 part-time faculty members across undergraduate and graduate instruction. The reported student-to-faculty ratio is 14 to 1, a broad institutional measure rather than a promise about the size of any particular class.
Huston-Tillotson University is at 900 Chicon Street in East Austin, Texas. Its urban location places students near Austin employers, community organizations, public transportation, and other colleges, but commuting time and expense will vary considerably by neighborhood.
Students planning to commute should check the route and schedule they would actually use, along with campus parking rules. First-year students may register or park a car on campus, subject to university procedures. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is the relevant commercial airport for students traveling farther afield.
Huston-Tillotson describes its educational mission in terms of academic development, leadership, service, and preparing students for work and civic life. Its historically Black identity and affiliations with the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ are important parts of its institutional background.
Those affiliations describe the university's history and stated values; they should not be taken to mean that every student shares a particular religious belief. Applicants interested in how the mission shapes coursework or campus activities can examine the catalog's general education requirements and the current student-life calendar rather than assuming that a mission statement describes every student's experience.
Name of the institution
Huston-Tillotson UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
City: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999School type
Comprehensive higher education institutionMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1875Huston-Tillotson University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degreeData last updated on November 5, 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.