How to get into LeTourneau University
How to get into LeTourneau: the East Texas Christian polytechnic where Aviation, ABET-accredited Engineering, and faith integration define the application
38%
Acceptance rate
$37,160
In-state cost
What makes LeTourneau University admissions different
LeTourneau University is a private Christian polytechnic university in Longview, East Texas, with ~1,500 undergrads. LETU is best known for its Aviation program (one of the largest collegiate flight programs in the country, with a fleet of training aircraft based on the school's own airport), its ABET-accredited Engineering programs (Mechanical, Electrical, Biomedical, Materials Joining), and its faith-integrated polytechnic identity. The school is Common App, test-optional, fee-free, and rolling-admission.
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Apply via Common App or the LETU online application. The fee is waived. LETU does not offer Early Decision; the application is rolling with the strongest aid going to earlier applicants.
- 2.
Submit your high school transcript and one teacher or counselor recommendation. LETU's published academic floor is modest but the Engineering and Aviation programs have higher math/science prerequisites.
- 3.
Write the LETU supplement with reference to the faith-integrated identity (LETU is openly evangelical Christian — every student takes Bible and theology courses) and a specific program track.
- 4.
If applying to Aviation, plan for the medical certificate, the flight-cost ladder, and the multi-track structure (Professional Pilot, Missionary Aviation, Aviation Maintenance, Aviation Management). Flight training costs are above and beyond tuition and the school is transparent about the all-in cost.
- 5.
If applying to Engineering, plan around the ABET-accredited progression and the math placement test. Calculus-ready math placement is the practical bar for staying on track.
- 6.
File the FAFSA (LETU federal school code 003584). LETU's institutional merit aid is widely awarded and stacks with federal aid.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Treating LETU as a generic Christian college. The polytechnic identity is genuinely distinctive — applicants who want a liberal-arts Christian college (Baylor, Wheaton, Westmont) are looking at a different kind of school.
- ✕
Underestimating Aviation costs. Flight training fees are real, substantial, and structured as per-hour costs above tuition. The school's net price calculator does not always capture them clearly.
- ✕
Skipping the supplement specificity. The faith identity is central to the read — applicants who write generic 'why LETU' essays misread the file.
The specifics for LeTourneau University
Application deadlines
- PriorityMarch 1, 2026Rolling admission thereafter
What makes this admissions process distinctive
Aviation Sciences and Technology ↗
One of the largest collegiate flight programs in the country, with a fleet of training aircraft, on-campus flight operations at Gregg County Airport, and tracks in Professional Flight, Missionary Aviation, Maintenance, and Management.
ABET-accredited polytechnic engineering
Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Biomedical, and Materials Joining Engineering — all ABET-accredited at a small Christian polytechnic. Materials Joining is one of only a handful of undergraduate welding-engineering programs in the country.
Faith integration model
Every undergraduate takes a Bible/theology sequence and integrates faith into their professional discipline through dedicated capstone projects.
Notable scholarships at LeTourneau University
Presidential, Trustees, and Provost Scholarships
Awarded to admits based on academic profile through the standard application.
Aviation-specific scholarships
Multiple named scholarships specifically for flight-program students; the Mission Aviation Fellowship pipeline includes external funding opportunities.
What graduates actually do
LeTourneau, founded by Christian inventor R. G. LeTourneau in 1946 in Longview, Texas, is one of the few evangelical universities with strong engineering and aviation programs. Alumni are concentrated in oil-and-gas engineering, missionary aviation, manufacturing, and Christian education across Texas and the global South.
Notable alumni
- R. G. LeTourneau — Inventor and founder (honorary, founder)
- Ross Perot Jr. — Real estate developer, son of Ross Perot (briefly attended)
Transfer pathway
LeTourneau admits transfers for fall, spring, and summer. Applicants submit college transcripts plus a statement of Christian faith and may transfer up to 65 hours from a two-year college. The university has articulation agreements with several Texas community colleges, particularly Kilgore College and Tyler Junior College, for engineering technology and aviation transfer paths.
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App. Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
LETU admits a meaningful share of applicants with GPAs in the 3.0-3.4 band when the file shows fit (Engineering or Aviation interest, faith-integrated polytechnic identity). Merit aid is widely awarded — most admits receive a President's, Provost's, or Dean's scholarship at admit.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.