How to get into Texas Tech University
How to get into Texas Tech: a Big 12 public with strong engineering, ag, and the Top 10% auto-admit for Texas residents
72.7%
Acceptance rate
$11,852
In-state cost
$24,451
Out-of-state cost
What makes Texas Tech University admissions different
Texas Tech University is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas — roughly 32,000 undergrads with Big 12 athletics, established programs in engineering (the Whitacre College of Engineering), the Rawls College of Business, the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, and the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Texas Tech admits around 73% of applicants. For Texas residents, the school offers in-state tuition with the state's Top 10% auto-admit rule (top 10% of Texas high school graduates qualify for guaranteed admission to most Texas publics including Texas Tech).
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Apply through ApplyTexas or the Common App. Texas Tech operates on priority deadlines (typically Nov 1, Dec 1, and Feb 1) with rolling-style review.
- 2.
Texas residents: confirm Top 10% auto-admit eligibility (top 10% of Texas high school graduating class with required coursework). Texas Tech follows the state's auto-admit rule for in-state applicants.
- 3.
Pick the right college. The Whitacre College of Engineering, the Rawls College of Business, the College of Agricultural Sciences, the College of Architecture, and the College of Visual and Performing Arts each have their own program-specific framing.
- 4.
Apply to the Honors College through its separate process. Texas Tech Honors is a four-year track with smaller seminars, an honors thesis, and dedicated advising.
- 5.
Apply for the President's, Provost's, and named merit scholarships at the priority deadline. The named scholarships (including the Terry Foundation Scholarship for Texas residents) substantially reduce sticker price.
- 6.
Out-of-state applicants: check the West Texas Tuition Discount (for eligible applicants from neighboring states) and run the net price calculator.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Missing the priority deadline for Honors College and scholarship consideration.
- ✕
Treating Texas Tech as just a backup to UT-Austin or Texas A&M. The engineering, business, and ag programs are genuinely strong and the Lubbock culture is distinct.
- ✕
Skipping the Honors College application when the profile fits.
- ✕
Ignoring the West Texas tuition discount for OOS applicants from neighboring states.
The specifics for Texas Tech University
What makes this admissions process distinctive
Texas Tech's Honors College offers a four-year honors curriculum with smaller seminars, an honors thesis, dedicated advising, and the option to live in honors residence halls.
Whitacre College of Engineering
Texas Tech's engineering school with ABET-accredited programs in petroleum, mechanical, electrical, civil, industrial, chemical, and computer engineering; strong placement into the Texas energy industry.
Texas Top 10% auto-admit eligibility
Texas residents in the top 10% of their high school graduating class with required coursework are guaranteed admission to Texas Tech under the state's automatic admission rule.
Notable scholarships at Texas Tech University
Terry Foundation ScholarshipFull cost of attendance
Texas Tech is a Terry Foundation partner; the Terry Scholarship covers full cost of attendance for selected Texas resident students with a separate application and finalist process.
What graduates actually do
Texas Tech graduates feed the West Texas and broader Texas economy in agriculture, engineering, energy (oil and gas — Permian Basin is nearby), business, and law. The Rawls College of Business and the Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering anchor strong placement at energy companies (ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Pioneer Natural Resources), and the School of Law in Lubbock feeds Texas legal markets.
Notable alumni
- Pat Green — Music
- Sheryl Swoopes — Professional basketball (WNBA)
- Wes Welker — Professional football (NFL)
- John Denver (briefly attended) — Music
- Patrick Mahomes (briefly attended — verifying — Texas Tech yes) — Professional football
Transfer pathway
Texas Tech accepts transfers via the Texas Common Course Numbering System. Major feeders include South Plains College (Levelland, near Lubbock), Dallas College, Houston Community College, and Austin Community College. A 2.25+ GPA is the typical minimum for transfer with 24+ credits; engineering and selective programs require higher.
Articulation partners
South Plains College · Dallas College · Houston Community College · Austin Community College · Lone Star College
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
If you're a Texas resident with a B/B+ transcript and reasonable rigor, Texas Tech is a likely admit (and guaranteed admit for Top 10% applicants) and a strong in-state value. The Honors College and named scholarships are the levers for high-achieving applicants. Out-of-state applicants at similar profiles can also get in but should compare cost — Texas Tech is most compelling for Texas residents and West Texas regional applicants.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.