Education

TCU students happiest in the nation, according to new rankings

TCU mascot Super Frog hops into the student section during a college football game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the SMU Mustangs at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.
TCU mascot Super Frog hops into the student section during a college football game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the SMU Mustangs at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. ctorres@star-telegram.com

The Princeton Review has released its latest “best of” rankings, and TCU came in at No. 1 for happiest students in a nationwide poll.

The happiness measure was “based on how strongly students agree or disagree with the statement, ‘I am happy at my school,’” according to the Princeton Review’s website.

Related to the happiness metric, TCU was second in overall quality of life, behind only Washington University in St. Louis.

Students return to Texas Christian University campus for the first day of class on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in Fort Worth.
Students return to Texas Christian University campus for the first day of class on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in Fort Worth. Amanda McCoy amccoy@star-telegram.com

TCU also took the No. 1 spot in intramural sports participation, and it was No. 3 on the list of best-run colleges.

The university’s top leadership, Chancellor Daniel Pullin and Provost Floyd Wormley Jr., both assumed their respective roles this year.

TCU Chancellor Daniel Pullin watches first-year medical students Mason Runkel, second from left, Stephen Pullman, second from right, and Bijan Hosseini work on the mannequin in a simulation lab at the TCU Burnett School of Medicine in Fort Worth on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. Pullin served as TCU president from 2023 to 2025.
TCU Chancellor Daniel Pullin watches first-year medical students Mason Runkel, second from left, Stephen Pullman, second from right, and Bijan Hosseini work on the mannequin in a simulation lab at the TCU Burnett School of Medicine in Fort Worth on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. Pullin served as TCU president from 2023 to 2025. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com

Here are some other notable areas where TCU finished highly:

  • Most beautiful campus - No. 4
  • Best athletic facilities - No. 5
  • Best undergrad entrepreneurship studies programs in the Southwest - No. 5
  • Best dorms - No. 6

Perhaps contributing to the university’s place among the best athletic facilities in the country, TCU’s newly renovated athletic performance center is nearly completed. The complex boasts upgraded weight rooms with smart racks that guide athletes through their workouts. There is also a dedicated recovery space, with features like the nation’s only “snow room” — a cave with actual snow — for cold therapy.

Matt Adams
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Matt Adams is a news reporter covering Fort Worth, Tarrant County and surrounding areas. He previously wrote about aviation and travel and enjoys a good weekend road trip. Matt joined the Star-Telegram in January 2025.
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