How to Apply to Mathematics at TCU: B.A. and B.S. in the Davis College of Science & Engineering, Actuarial and Data Science Options, No Special Admission Requirements Listed, and Requirements for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Students

Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, Texas offers mathematics through the Department of Mathematics in the College of Science & Engineering. This guide follows TCU’s program page, the department website and the admission website for fall 2027 entry, for US domestic applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, followed by transfer students. Computer science is not covered here (this site has a separate article); the economics-and-mathematics major and data science get one line in section 1. TCU’s official course catalog (undergraduate.catalog.tcu.edu) was not read, so course requirements come from the department’s website pages (marked “unofficial”) and its advising manual; the official catalog governs graduation requirements.

1. Degrees and tracks

• Degrees: the department offers a B.A. and a B.S. in mathematics, a B.A. and a B.S. in actuarial science, and minors in mathematics and actuarial mathematics. The actuarial concentration is housed in the department and can be combined with either the math B.A. or B.S.
• B.A. (liberal arts degree): described as suited to careers in economics, business, education and related industries, and a good double major. It requires at least 28 semester hours of mathematics, 19 of them set courses: MATH 10524 Calculus I, 20123 Discrete Mathematics I, 20524 Calculus II, 30224 Linear Algebra and 30524 Calculus III; 9 more hours at the 30000 level or above; one programming course; and two courses from a list of physics, computer science and economics courses. B.A. students must also demonstrate foreign-language competency at the fourth-semester level (the list includes Chinese, Arabic, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese and Spanish; it can be met by courses or by AP, CLEP or SAT II scores), and the advising manual says B.A. students complete a minor.
• B.S. (deeper, more demanding): the program page says it adds 18 hours of advanced mathematics to the B.A. and fits students aiming at graduate school in mathematics or related fields, technical careers, or a more challenging experience. For students who declare in fall 2025 or later it requires at least 46 hours of mathematics with C- or better, including MATH 10524, 20123, 20524, 30053 Introduction to Mathematical Proof, 30224, 30524 and 50503 Real Analysis I; 21 more hours at the 30000 level or above, 6 of them at 40000 or above; one programming course and two associated courses. No minor or language is required. Students who declared before fall 2025 follow an older version, on a separate department page.
• Shared rules: each mathematics course needs C- or better to count toward the degree, and the average in mathematics courses must be 2.0 or better to graduate. Credit is not given for both MATH 10283 and MATH 10524.
• B.A. or B.S.: the advising manual says it is largely up to your plans and interests; the B.S. can be very demanding, B.S. students should keep the option of switching to the B.A., and students who struggle with any 10000- or 20000-level mathematics course are strongly encouraged to pursue the B.A.
• Related: the department also sponsors the B.S. in Data Science jointly with computer science (advised by computer science), and there is a B.S. in Economics & Mathematics in the economics department of AddRan College, which its page describes as STEM-designated. Neither is covered here.

2. How admission works: apply to TCU, then get a department advisor

• Program page: TCU’s mathematics page says “There are no special admissions requirements for this program.” The admission pages read do not say whether you must list mathematics on the application, whether mathematics has its own admission standard, or when and with what grades you declare the major once enrolled; ask the admission office or the department.
• Advisors: the advising manual says students who officially register as mathematics majors are assigned an advisor within a few weeks, shown on my.tcu. For College of Science and Engineering majors, advising each semester before registering is mandatory, with a registration hold otherwise.
• Contact: mathematics@tcu.edu, 817-257-7335.
• Honors and research: Departmental Honors requires being a B.S. major and a member of the Honors College (apply if you meet the GPA requirements). Thesis writers usually take MATH 30000 Honors Directed Research or 31000 Directed Research in the junior year and MATH 40000 Undergraduate Thesis; the manual suggests finding a faculty mentor early in the junior year.

3. Prerequisites and placement

• High school maths: the pages read do not state high school course requirements for the major or a university-wide minimum; ask the admission office.
• Core curriculum: every student must meet a Mathematical Reasoning requirement, which MATH 10033, 10043, 10283, 10524 or 20524 can satisfy; the department notes that your degree may require more.
• Two introductory calculus courses: MATH 10283 Applied Calculus is taken primarily by business students, and MATH 10524 Calculus I by mathematics, science and engineering students, so mathematics majors normally take MATH 10524. The department says to choose by your major’s requirements and with your advisor.
• Entering MATH 10524 (any one): C- or better in MATH 10054 Precalculus with Trigonometry; AP Precalculus 4+ (which also gives MATH 10054 credit); AP Calculus AB or BC 3+; SAT Subject Test Mathematics Level 1 560+ or Level 2 520+ (the manual notes these tests are no longer offered); or a passing score on the Calculus Placement Test. The page stresses that high school precalculus or calculus courses alone do not count; you need a qualifying dual-credit transcript or AP score. Students who earned below C- in MATH 10054 at TCU cannot place in through the test.
• Placement test: TCU uses the ALEKS Placement Assessment (adaptive, about 30 questions, usually about 90 minutes and up to three hours, taken alone without outside help, USD 20 plus tax). Per the page, 76+ allows MATH 10524 or 10283, 61+ allows MATH 10283, and 60 or lower means taking precalculus first. The score gives no credit and is not on your TCU record. New students should finish placement exams at least two weeks before their orientation session according to the core credit and placement page, while the placement test page says at least one week before the registration date, orientation date or first week of the semester. The page refers to fall 2026 and spring 2027 placement; check the department site that the test is currently open.
• Credit by exam (department page): AP Statistics 3+ for MATH 10043; AP Precalculus 4+ for MATH 10054; AP Calculus AB 3+ for MATH 10283; AP Calculus AB 4+, BC 3+, CLEP Calculus 65+ or IB Mathematics HL 6 or 7 for MATH 10524; AP Calculus BC 5 for both MATH 10524 and 20524. The advising manual is more specific on IB: Applications & Interpretations at SL or HL with 6 or 7 for MATH 10043, and Analysis & Approaches HL with 6 or 7 for MATH 10524. Credit is treated like transfer credit (grade T, not in GPA), and scores must be sent by the testing agency to the admission office. The admission office’s credit-by-exam page has fuller AP/IB tables, which were not checked line by line here.
• Honors maths sequence: the pages read do not describe an entry route.
• Maths competitions: the pages read do not say how they are viewed in admission.

4. Deadlines and materials

• First-year deadlines (admission page; no year printed, so check they apply to fall 2027): 1 November for early action (non-binding; decision by 1 January; reply by 1 May) and early decision I (binding; decision by 1 January; commit by 15 January); 1 February for regular decision (decision by 1 April) and early decision II (decision by 1 March; commit by 15 March); 1 May is the national candidate reply date. For the Chancellor’s Scholars program the page says to apply to TCU by 1 November and to the John V. Roach Honors College by 15 November.
• Platforms: the TCU application, Common Application, Coalition or ApplyTexas, all read equally.
• Required: application; USD 50 fee (non-refundable; waived for first-generation applicants, ACT/College Board fee waivers, free or reduced lunch, and recent natural-disaster impact); official high school transcript sent by the school; essay of 250–650 words (one prompt); counselor and teacher recommendations submitted by school officials; English proficiency for international applicants. Whether a maths teacher must write is not stated.
• Optional: test scores; a “Freedom of Expression” piece (essay, poem, artwork or link); the Honors College application (15 November or 15 February).

5. US domestic applicants

• Testing: test-optional through 2028. TCU’s “Do No Harm” policy excludes submitted scores that would hurt your admission or scholarship chances; SAT and ACT are superscored and, if both are sent, the more favourable is used. For fall 2026 entrants the middle 50% was 1310–1460 SAT and 29–33 ACT (university-wide). An older paragraph on the same page says first-year applicants “must submit” at least one ACT or SAT, which contradicts the optional policy; rely on the admission office’s latest statement. Codes: College Board 6820, ACT 4206.
• Tuition for 2026-27 (fall and spring, 12–18 hours): USD 66,520, plus USD 90 student government fee; on-campus housing and food USD 18,780 (typical first-year housing USD 12,080, basic meal plan USD 6,700); books about USD 700; estimated direct costs total USD 86,090. TCU is private and the pages read show no in-state/out-of-state difference.
• Academic scholarships: the first-year scholarship page lists, per year, Chancellor’s (full tuition, up to eight semesters), Dean’s USD 32,000, Faculty USD 30,000, TCU USD 27,000, Founders’ USD 17,000 and Purple and White USD 12,000, based mainly on grades, curriculum rigor, rank and (if submitted) scores. The 2026 recipients’ middle-50% unweighted GPA was 3.8–3.98. The page says test scores are not considered for scholarships for test-optional applicants, yet a footnote gives ACT 30–33 and SAT 1400–1480 for recipients who submitted scores; both statements appear.
• Aid: file the FAFSA and CSS Profile for federal and institutional need-based aid. Priority or guaranteed admission for state residents is not mentioned on the pages read.

6. International applicants

• English (Chinese-language application page): non-native speakers need one of TOEFL 80+, IELTS 6.5+, Duolingo English Test 110+, or at least three years at an English-taught high school. International transfers need TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.5, waivable with strong SAT or ACT scores or 24 transferable US college credits including English composition.
• Proof of funds: applicants needing a visa submit a TCU Financial Statement signed by the applicant and sponsor with letters from the sponsor’s employer and bank showing the average monthly balance over the past year and the current balance, enough for a full year and resources for later years; it is due, with a non-refundable enrollment fee, before an I-20 is issued.
• International costs (2026-27): estimated direct costs USD 88,936, including tuition of USD 66,520 and health insurance of USD 2,846.
• Admission and aid: the cost page says TCU is need-aware for international applicants and those who can contribute at least USD 40,000 a year are the most competitive; applicants seeking need-based aid must also submit the CSS Profile for International Students (code 6820) and receive no decision until it arrives. The international aid page says awards are competitive and usually cover less than half the cost of attendance; there is no full funding; need-based aid ranges from USD 2,000 to 41,570; CSS deadlines are 1 February (first-year, fall), 15 April (transfers) and 1 October (spring); the average package is about USD 25,000 a year and the maximum USD 51,570. The same page also says students with less than USD 21,000 a year in personal resources will not be admitted and still shows a 2020-2021 cost of attendance, so it is evidently not fully updated; confirm with your counselor.
• Scholarships: the international page says applicants are automatically reviewed for academic scholarships.
• Credential evaluation: the pages read do not name an evaluation service for high school records; ask the admission office.

7. Applicants from China

• TCU’s admission site has a Chinese-language page covering the university, programs, application materials and English requirements (TOEFL 80, IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 110, or three years at an English-taught high school). Parts of it are dated, for example it gives an essay length of 300–500 words, while the first-year page says 250–650, and its ranking figures are old; follow the first-year application page.
• Gaokao: the pages read do not say whether Gaokao results are considered or how, nor what is required for Chinese transcripts or school-leaving exam records. Ask the admission office or your international counselor.
• The international students page says TCU has a dedicated international admission counselor and a mailing list.

8. Scholarships, research and outcomes

• Department scholarships: the department pages read do not list scholarships specific to mathematics; ask the department.
• Research: the program page describes a teacher-scholar model in which undergraduates and graduate students are often involved in faculty research; the advising manual names an Undergraduate Research Coordinator and advises finding a mentor early.
• Outcomes (program page): employers that have hired mathematics graduates include JPMorgan Chase, ExxonMobil, Microsoft, AIG, Cigna, Teach for America, Lockheed Martin and Deloitte; graduate programs include mathematics at Columbia University, statistics at Ohio State, public health/biostatistics at Washington University, computational genomics at UNLV, data analytics at Indiana University and economics at the University of Texas at Austin. The page also cites the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting employment in math occupations to grow much faster than average through at least 2034. No placement rate for TCU mathematics graduates is given.

9. Transfer students

• TCU requirements: 12 transferable credits from a regionally accredited college in a long (fall or spring) semester after high school, and a transfer GPA of 2.7 or higher (some majors require more). The review also considers the number of credits, the quality of the curriculum, the high school record, extracurriculars, the essay, and disciplinary and financial standing at other institutions. Whether mathematics sets a higher GPA or a calculus/linear algebra requirement is not stated on the pages read.
• Materials: TCU or Common Application, USD 50 fee, all official college transcripts, official high school transcript, a 300–500 word essay, and a disciplinary standing form from colleges attended in the last five years; international transfers also need English results (TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.5, with waivers as above) and the TCU Financial Statement.
• Deadlines (no year printed, so check): fall early action 1 February; international summer and fall 15 April (final); US fall 1 June (final; decision by about 1 August); international spring 1 October; US spring 1 November.
• Credit transfer: the advising manual says that once enrolled, outside credit must be approved in advance by the department chair and dean (including summer and online courses), no more than four courses (16 hours) may be transferred in after enrolling, and at least 45 semester hours must be completed at TCU. The admission office’s transfer credit calculator and “how credits transfer” page were not read.

Checklist

US domestic applicants:

• Apply by 1 November (EA or ED I) or 1 February (RD or ED II), checking the year on the official site; USD 50 fee; essay, transcript, counselor and teacher recommendations; testing optional
• After enrolling, place into MATH 10524 using the conditions above and use AP/IB credit; file the FAFSA and CSS Profile for need-based aid

International applicants (including China):

• Same dates; TOEFL 80, IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 110 (or three years at an English-taught high school); the international CSS Profile if you need aid
• TCU Financial Statement for the visa; ask the admission office how the Gaokao is used

After entry:

• Choose the B.A. (28 hours of mathematics, a minor and a language) or the B.S. (46 hours, including Real Analysis I); meet your advisor before each registration; C- or better in each mathematics course and a 2.0 mathematics average

Transfer students:

• 12 transferable credits and a 2.7 GPA (some majors higher); deadline by term; confirm mathematics-specific conditions with the department

Sources: Texas Christian University, Program page: Mathematics; Program page: Economics and Mathematics; Mathematics: majors and minors; Mathematics: BA requirements; Mathematics: BS requirements; Mathematics: core credit and placement; Mathematics: calculus placement test; Mathematics: advising manual (PDF); Admission: first-year application and dates; Admission: testing policy; Admission: Chinese-language guide; Admission: cost estimate; Admission: first-year scholarships; Admission: international scholarships and aid; Admission: transfer application; Admission: transfer requirements. The dates on the admissions pages show no year, so check that they apply to fall 2027 entry; costs are for 2026-27. See TCU’s website for the latest.