TCU’s library is one of the best in the nation, new ranking reveals
TCU students have long considered the Mary Couts Burnett Library a central hub on campus. Now, the library has national recognition.
In its 2026 guide, The Princeton Review ranked the library No. 10 in the nation, placing TCU alongside schools like Ohio State, Boston College, and Brigham Young University, which claimed the top spot.
The survey also named TCU No. 1 for happiest students nationwide, showing how academics and student life go hand in hand. Together, the rankings point to the important role the library plays on campus — both as a study space and a community gathering spot. Here’s what to know about the library and why it ranks as one of the best.
What makes TCU’s library a top study spot for students?
All of The Princeton Review’s rankings are based on what students tell the publication in a student survey. For this one, the library ranking was based on how TCU students answered the following question: “How do you rate your school’s library facilities?”
Over the past decade, the library has transformed into one of the busiest study spaces on campus.
Renovations in 2014 added more seating and collaborative areas, but they also required moving hundreds of thousands of books offsite — a change that initially left faculty worried about losing access to research material.
The library addressed those concerns by setting up a request system. “If somebody requested a book, they would have it delivered back on campus the next morning or sometimes even within the same day,” Dean of the library, Tracy Hull, told TCU 360. Staff could also scan and email journal articles directly to professors.
That convenience, paired with updated spaces, made the library more accessible and flexible. Students now have options that fit different learning styles, from private study rooms to group work areas.
“We wanted to create a variety of study spaces that met the different means of different learning styles,” Hull said.
The library is also known for staying open late. During finals week, it shifts to 24-hour access so students can study whenever they need. On top of that, students can check out laptops, cameras, and other tech.
What role does staff play in the national ranking?
Students and faculty say the library’s staff are a big part of what makes the space work.
Beyond checking out books, staff members often help students track down resources, navigate databases, or even just find a quiet corner when the building is packed during finals.
That hands-on support is part of why the library feels less like an institution and more like a partner in student success. Hull credits that commitment and approachability for helping secure the national recognition.
“The staff here are extremely committed to their job and approachable; they want to see the students do well,” she told TCU 360. “I think the fact that we’re focused on what meets the students’ needs is what contributed to getting that No. 10 ranking.”
