Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas, United States. Established on February 10, 1923,  it is the flagship institution of the Texas Tech University System. Over 25% of its undergraduate student population identifies as Hispanic, so the university has been designated a Hispanic-serving institution.

The university offers degrees in more than 150 courses of study through thirteen colleges and hosts fifty-five research centers and institutes. Texas Tech University has awarded nearly 325,000 degrees since 1927, including over 75,000 graduate and professional degrees.

Research projects in pulsed power, strengthening national security, grid computing, resilience and adaptability, energy, advancing One Health, rural and urban development, and atmospheric sciences are among the most prominent at the university. The Institute for Critical Infrastructure Security works to solve cyber-security interruptions in critical infrastructure systems. The Institute for One Health Innovation brings together experts from human, animal and environmental health and develop a more holistic approach to health for all.

The origins of Texas Tech University can be traced back to the 1880s, when settlers in West Texas began advocating for the establishment of a college to serve the region. In 1917, the Texas Legislature initially approved a branch of Texas A&M in Abilene, but the bill was repealed two years later after it emerged that Governor James E. Ferguson had misrepresented the site selection process. A new attempt in 1921 also failed when Governor Pat Neff vetoed the proposal, citing economic hardship. This decision led to widespread frustration in West Texas, even sparking discussions about seceding from the state.

Momentum returned in 1923 when legislation, co-authored by Senator William H. Bledsoe and Representative Roy Alvin Baldwin, called for the creation of a standalone university. Governor Neff signed the bill on February 10, 1923. Lubbock was chosen as the university’s site after an enthusiastic display of support from residents. In November, Paul Whitfield Horn was appointed the institution’s first president. Construction of the campus began in November 1924, and the cornerstone of the Administration Building was laid before 20,000 attendees. Texas Technological College officially opened on October 1, 1925, with 914 students and four founding schools: Agriculture, Engineering, Home Economics, and Liberal Arts.

The university’s early years saw steady growth. Military training began in 1925 and formal ROTC programs were added by 1936. Despite a wartime decline, enrolment surged post-World War II, rising from 1,696 in 1943 to over 5,000 by 1946. By the 1960s, the institution’s academic scope had broadened significantly. Proposals to change the name were met with mixed reactions, but after years of debate, the name Texas Tech University was officially adopted in 1969. Around this time, the university began admitting African-American students, starting with Lucille S. Graves in 1961, and later awarded its first doctoral degree and athletic scholarship to Black students.

The following decades saw major investments in campus infrastructure. From the 1960s through the 1970s, over $150 million was allocated to new facilities in various disciplines, including engineering, architecture, and the arts. In 1969, the School of Medicine was established, which later became part of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, expanding into five schools and multiple campuses across Texas. The Texas Tech University System was formally created in 1996 to manage the growing academic and medical institutions, with John T. Montford appointed as its first chancellor.

Entering the 21st century, Texas Tech continued to expand. By 2011, system-wide enrolment surpassed 42,000 students. The university made substantial investments in research infrastructure and was designated an “Emerging Research University” by the Texas Legislature, receiving significant state funding. Construction projects included the Rawls College of Business, a Petroleum Engineering building, and the $100 million Academic Sciences Building in 2021. In 2023, Texas Tech became one of four institutions to benefit from the newly created $3.9 billion Texas University Fund, receiving $44 million in its first year—signalling its growing stature in research and higher education.

Texas Tech University now comprises ten colleges and two schools, each offering a broad array of accredited programmes. The Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering, named in 2008 after a generous AT&T gift, provides ten ABET-accredited engineering disciplines. The College of Arts & Sciences remains the largest academic division, conferring bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees across the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences. From within Arts & Sciences sprang the College of Media & Communication—originally Mass Communications—and the Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts, both of which hold specialised accreditation in journalism, digital media, art, music and theatre.

Formerly the Division of Home Economics, the College of Health & Human Sciences now encompasses community and family sciences, hospitality and retail management, nutritional sciences and allied health professions. Its School of Personal Financial Planning, established in 2000, was the first CFP Board-registered doctoral programme in the United States and has repeatedly won national student competitions. The Huckabee College of Architecture, founded in 1927, offers NAAB-accredited degrees, while the Jerry S. Rawls College of Business—renamed in 2000 following a landmark gift—holds AACSB accreditation and delivers comprehensive business education from undergraduate through doctoral levels.

Teacher preparation and legal education are provided by the College of Education and the School of Law, both founded in 1967 and accredited by their respective national bodies. All graduate offerings are overseen by the Graduate School, established in 1954, and high-achieving undergraduates may pursue a tailored curriculum through the Honors College, with options for early entry into medical or law studies. Since 2008, Texas Tech Online has administered distance learning and seven in-state satellite campuses, along with the University Independent School District. The adjacent Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center—part of the broader University System—operates six professional schools and multiple regional campuses, collaborating closely on joint-degree programmes with the main campus.

SCHOOLS

The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center includes several specialised schools, each serving critical areas of healthcare education and research. The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences operates across Lubbock, Abilene, and Amarillo, offering master’s and doctoral degrees as well as professional certificates and dual degree programmes in partnership with the School of Medicine. 

The School of Health Professions, established in 1983 as the School of Allied Health Sciences, provides education in fields such as physical and occupational therapy, audiology, molecular pathology, and physician assistant studies. With campuses in Lubbock, Amarillo, and the Permian Basin, it currently enrols over 1,800 students across 20 degree programmes at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels.

The School of Medicine in Lubbock, since awarding its first degrees in 1974, has granted over 3,000 Doctor of Medicine degrees. Originally created to meet the healthcare needs of West Texas, the school has contributed to a significant improvement in the region’s physician-to-resident ratio. Students spend their initial two years in Lubbock before completing clinical training in Lubbock, Amarillo, or Odessa. 

Alongside education, the school prioritises recruiting innovative research faculty and training graduate students for careers in medical research. The School of Nursing supports more than 1,000 students annually across multiple campuses, including Abilene, Dallas, Odessa, and Lubbock. It offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, including the only Doctor of Nursing Practice programme in West Texas, and provides flexible learning options such as online RN-to-BSN, second-degree BSN, and veteran-focused nursing degrees.

The School of Pharmacy is based in Amarillo, with regional campuses in Dallas, Abilene, and Lubbock. It includes departments of Pharmacy Practice, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Biomedical Sciences. The TTUHSC Pharmacy operates across several centres, including prison health services and rural telepharmacy sites in Turkey and Earth, Texas—the latter being the first in the state to dispense a telepharmacy prescription in 2002. 

The Julia Jones Matthews School of Population and Public Health, with campuses in Lubbock and Abilene, supports training and research focused on community and public health needs, rounding out TTUHSC’s extensive network of healthcare education and services across Texas.

Texas Tech University offers diverse  undergraduate and graduate programs across its colleges, many of which have earned national and international recognition. Among the most popular undergraduate majors are Business Administration, Psychology, Marketing, and Mechanical Engineering. The Rawls College of Business provides comprehensive programs in finance, marketing, and management. Similarly, the Whitacre College of Engineering offers robust undergraduate programs in mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering. The College of Arts & Sciences also contributes significantly, with strong programs in biological sciences, psychology, and political science.
 

At the graduate level, TTU's programs continue to excel. The Whitacre College of Engineering's petroleum engineering program is particularly noteworthy, consistently ranking within the top 10 nationally. The Rawls College of Business offers a well-regarded MBA program. The College of Education and the School of Law also maintain strong reputations, with the law school recognized for its programs in legal writing and trial advocacy. 

TTU's commitment to excellence is further reflected in its specialized programs. The College of Human Sciences offers a top-ranked Personal Financial Planning program, recognized nationally for its comprehensive curriculum and student success. The Huckabee College of Architecture provides accredited programs that blend design and technical education. Additionally, the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources offers programs that address contemporary challenges in agriculture and natural resource management. These specialized programs underscore TTU's dedication to providing diverse educational opportunities that align with industry trends and societal needs.

Texas Tech University's Jerry S. Rawls College of Business offers MBA programs that have recieved recognition in national and global rankings. According to U.S. News & World Report's 2024 rankings, the Rawls College's full-time MBA program is ranked No. 92 nationally, while its part-time MBA program holds the No. 80 spot. Texas Tech's online MBA program was placed at No. 42 nationally, marking a substantial rise from the previous year. Additionally, the program was ranked No. 28 in the Best Online Programs for Veterans category. 

Texas Tech University boasts strong job integration outcomes for its graduates. Approximately 93 of TTU alumni are employed within two years of graduation, with 91 percent maintaining employment six years post-graduation. TTU's career services, including the Rawls Career Management Center, play a pivotal role in facilitating these outcomes by organizing career fairs and networking events that connect students with potential employers. These initiatives, coupled with the university's strong alumni network, contribute to the high employment rates and earnings of its graduates.
 

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