Texas Southern University College Portrait
Texas Southern University3100 Cleburne Street Houston, TX 77004
(713) 313-7071
Texas Southern University
Excellence in Achievement
Texas Southern University is one of the nation’s largest HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), possesses an impressive array of undergraduate and graduate programs, a diverse faculty, 80-plus student organizations, and an alumni network comprised of educators, entrepreneurs, public servants, lawyers, pilots, artists, and more, many of whom are change agents on the local, national and international stage.
Living in the TSU Community
TSU Now & Forever
Texas Southern University touches not just students on campus, but the entire community in which it resides. We believe this is a responsibility, a duty, and most of all, a privilege. The University welcomes the young and old with open arms and provides unique centers of learning: the TSU Urban learning Center where families are provided rich educational resources and the most sophisticated, state of the art technological resources; the University Museum, which houses stunning works of art, including those by world renowned muralist Dr. John Biggers, and thought-provoking social displays and exhibits; the Barbara Jordan archives, that chronicle the rich history of this distinguished graduate, and numerous other distinctive learning environments.
Texas Southern University is a small version of the City of Houston, with its many cultures and great vitality. Students of all ages and ethnic backgrounds mix in a comfortable atmosphere. In recent years the University community has greatly increased in diversity. Students come from all walks of life, representing almost every race, color and creed as well as a wide range of ages and backgrounds. The University provides excellent educational opportunities for Texas residents and individuals from around the nation, and the world. Over 63% of TSU students are from Harris County. Additionally, the faculty and student body represents 114 other Texas counties, 40 states, three territories and 68 counties. You will get a glimpse of true urban life at TSU, which is located in one of Houston's many culturally enriched neighborhoods. TSU's location in Houston, its diversity and its vitality make it an exciting place to study and learn.
The Big Picture: How many students were on campus in Fall 2010?
More Information
| Total Students | 9,557 | |
|---|---|---|
Undergraduate Snapshot
| Total Undergraduate Students | 6,964 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Women | 3,949 | 57% |
| Men | 3,015 | 43% |
| Race/Ethnicity | ||
| American Indian / Alaskan Native | 17 | <1% |
| Asian | 152 | 2% |
| African American / Black | 6,217 | 89% |
| Hispanic | 283 | 4% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 0 | <1% |
| White | 80 | 1% |
| Two or More Races | 0 | <1% |
| International | 215 | 3% |
| Where do TSU undergraduates call home? | |
|---|---|
| Texas | 84% |
| Other US States & Territories | 13% |
| Other Countries | 3% |
| Residency Unknown | <1% |
| How old are TSU undergraduates? | |
| Average Age | 24 |
| Percent of Undergraduates Age 25 or Older | 29% |
New Student Applications (Fall 2010)
New Freshmen High School Background and Test Scores
Test(s) Required for Admission: SAT or ACT recommended
| Test Scores of Enrolled New Freshmen | ACT | SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Composite | 14 - 18 | |
| Math | 15 - 18 | 360 - 460 |
| English | 11 - 18 | |
| Critical Reading | 330 - 450 |
50% of admitted students have test scores within the ranges listed, 25% have scores above, and 25% have scores below.
| High School Background of Enrolled New Freshmen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Percent in top 25% of High School Graduating Class | 23% | |
| Percent in top 50% of High School Graduating Class | 49% | |
| Percent of New Freshmen who submitted HS GPA | 85% | |
| Average High School GPA (4-point scale) | 2.7 | |
| Percent who submitted High School GPA | 99% | |
Sticker Price: How much does it cost on average?
Typical Undergraduate Costs for 2010-11 without Financial Aid (Full-Time, In-State Students)
Total Typical Cost of Attendance: $20,630
Out-of-State & Other Costs
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The cost to attend Texas Southern University varies based on the individual circumstances of students and may be reduced through grants and scholarships.
How much would I pay?
Financial Aid: How much help is there to pay?
Scholarships & Grants
- 79% of 2010-11 full-time undergraduates received need-based grants or scholarships; the average award for the year was $6,018. Scholarships and grants are financial aid that does not need to be repaid and is sometimes referred to as gift aid.
Annual Need-Based Loans
- 79% of 2010-11 full-time undergraduates received need-based work-study and/or loans (not including parent loans); the average loan for the year was $7,943. Loans need to be repaid. Typically, repayment starts once you are no longer enrolled full-time. Please refer to page 12 of the Funding Education Beyond High School guide on the US Department of Education's Federal Student Aid website for more information about Financial Need.
Percent of 2009-2010 Full-time Beginning Students Receiving Each Type of Financial Aid
NOTE: Students may receive aid from more than one source.
TSU Classes & Instructors
| Classroom Environment | |
|---|---|
| Students per Faculty | 20 to 1 |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 30 students | 57% |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 50 students | 89% |
| Total Full-Time Instructional Faculty | 346 |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Female | 47% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Persons of Color | 86% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Have the Highest Academic Degree Offered in Their Field of Study | <1% |
More Information
Campus-based Housing
57% of new freshmen live in campus-based housing or residence halls.
21% of all undergraduates live on campus
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Campus Safety
TSU Department of Public Safety takes pride in the the men and women who are serving the TSU community in partnership with the City of Houston.
This unit's beliefs are anchored in their core values of Integrity, Trust, Commitment, and Courage.
Campus Crime Statistics
Carnegie Classification of Institutional Characteristics
The Carnegie Classification's were created "to reference the great diversity of colleges and universities in the United States, and ... enable [people] to identify groups of roughly comparable institutions." For information on the Carnegie Classifications system, please visit their website: http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/
- Basic Type
- Master's Colleges and Universities (medium programs)
- Size and Setting
- Large four-year, primarily nonresidential
- Enrollment Profile
- High undergraduate
- Undergraduate Profile
- Full-time four-year, inclusive
- Undergraduate Instructional Program
- Professions plus arts & sciences, some graduate coexistence
- Graduate Instructional Program
- Doctoral, STEM dominant
NOTE: Institutional classifications based on the Carnegie 2005 edition.
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Student Activities and Involvement at TSU
To date, TSU has utilized the ACT Student Opinion Survey to obtain data concerning student's perspectives of services offered as well as the specific areas providing these services. It is believed that this is the foundation upon which student experiences evolve. Future surveying will be done to expand the parameters we have historically used to include gather data as it relates to the student experience.
Majors and Degrees
| Degrees awarded at Texas Southern University in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 797 |
| Master's | 158 |
| Doctoral | 259 |
| Total | 1,214 |
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| Areas of Study with the largest number of bachelor's degrees awarded in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 11% |
| Biology, General | 10% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 7% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 6% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 5% |
| Links to degree programs at Texas Southern University |
|---|
Bachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral |
Student Success & Progress Rate
A 48% four-year success and progress rate means that 48% of students starting in Fall 2004 either graduated or are still enrolled at a higher education institution four years later.
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Counts for the Fall 2004 entering class shown in the graph above.
- 2,008 First-Time, Full-Time Students
- 728 Full-Time Transfer Students
Success & Progress Rate Table
Retention of Freshman Class
First-time students in Fall 2009 that returned for their second year: 61%
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Student Learning at Texas Southern University
All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated.
The type of applicable learning outcomes have some variation based on the major area of concentration, however these distinct outcomes tend to be applicable across many areas.
Writing Ability
Critical Judgment
Statistical Concepts
Historical & Social Knowledge
Cultural Competencies
Technical Competencies
Critical Thinking
Research Ability
Transformational Learning
Learning Assessment Examples
Pilot Project to Measure Core Learning Outcomes
Colleges and universities participating in the College Portrait measure the typical improvement in students' abilities to think, reason, and write using one of three tests. This is part of a pilot project to better understand and compare what students learn between their freshman and senior years at different colleges and universities.
The type of applicable learning outcomes have some variation based on the major area of concentration, therefore there is no single instrument that encompasses these measures.