University of the Incarnate Word Acceptance Rate, Admissions & Graduation

What Kind of University It Is and Where It Is Located

University of the Incarnate Word is a private, nonprofit, four-year-or-more institution. Carnegie, the federal system that classifies colleges and universities in the United States, places it among doctoral and professional universities, and the highest level it reports offering is indeed the doctoral degree. That is institutional information: it does not tell you whether the specific program your child is interested in reaches that level. That is something to ask about program by program.

It is in San Antonio, within Bexar County, in the San Antonio-New Braunfels metropolitan area. Its census code places it in a principal city with a population of 250,000 or more. If your child is thinking about living at home and driving every day, I recommend something simple: drive the route yourself on a weekday, at the exact time your child would have class. The actual travel time is almost never what the map says.

Carnegie also describes it, using 2019-20 data, as a medium-sized, primarily nonresidential institution. That label applies when fewer than one in four undergraduates live in institution-provided housing or when fewer than half attend full time. The data do not clarify which of the two conditions was met, and the label also does not mean there are no residence halls—in fact, there are, as you will see later.

One more fact to keep in mind: if your child is thinking about coming here after attending another college, pay attention. Carnegie places it among institutions with a high level of transfer-in enrollment. That does not tell you how many credits people bring in or how many are lost along the way. Before enrolling, ask in writing which courses will be accepted and which will not.

And there are some things University of the Incarnate Word is not. It is not listed as a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), a Tribal College or University, or a land-grant institution. Those are three distinct designations with different histories, and among the 3,012 colleges and universities in this census, only 138 have at least one of the three. The fact that this school is not on those lists says nothing about which communities it serves well or poorly. You investigate that by asking which cultural centers and student organizations exist today and by talking with someone who is already there.

A Community Where the Majority Is Latino

Here is a number that probably matters to you. In fall 2023, 65 out of every 100 University of the Incarnate Word undergraduates identified as Hispanic or Latino. That is not a minority on campus: it is the majority. Compared with the 941 selective-admission private four-year schools in this same census that report this information, it is among the highest: nine out of ten of those schools reported an equal or lower share.

If your child is worried about feeling like the only Latino student in a classroom, this school's numbers do not suggest that. But be careful about an easy misunderstanding: a high percentage of Latino students is not the same as specific support for Latino students. The data count how many there are, not whether counseling is available in Spanish, whether targeted tutoring is offered, or how well those students are doing in terms of graduation. And this is the percentage for the entire school, not for the particular program your child is interested in.

Other features of this community: there are more women than men among undergraduates—64 out of every 100 are women. Of every 100 students, 21 are between 25 and 64 years old, so this is not a campus where everyone is 18. And 97 out of every 100 first-time students reported a permanent address in Texas when they applied. By a large majority, this is a school for people from the state itself.

In terms of size, the official fall count showed 7,251 enrolled students: neither one of the smallest nor one of the largest, but within the 5,000 to 9,999 range. Compared with similar schools, it is on the larger side: between one and three out of ten schools in that group have more students. But that total includes graduate students. It consists of 4,726 undergraduates and 2,525 graduate students. If your child is beginning an undergraduate program, the number that matters is 4,726, not the total of 7,251.

How the Academic Year Works and What Prior Credit It Accepts

The calendar follows semesters: two long terms of about 15 weeks each. There is nothing unusual about that; it is the most common format.

There are two stated ways for what your child already knows to count for credit: AP exams and what IPEDS calls credit for life experience—independent study, adult courses, work experience, portfolios, prior licenses or certifications, among other things. The school also reports accepting credit for military training and enrolling high school students in college-credit courses through a formal dual-enrollment program.

But stating that AP credit is accepted does not mean the school awards credit for every exam at every score. We do not know what scores it requires or whether those credits apply to your child's specific program. Ask for the equivalency evaluation in writing before enrolling. Do not budget for the savings until you have it in hand.

What Students Study There

Between July 2022 and June 2023, University of the Incarnate Word awarded 1,069 bachelor's degrees across 26 different fields-of-study families. Business and management awarded the most degrees, accounting for 29 out of every 100 degrees that year—no other field surpassed it, but it also did not account for everything. Compared with similar schools, it ranks in the quarter with the greatest variety of fields-of-study families represented in its report.

It has a broad range of offerings rather than a concentration in just one area. But 26 families with rows in the report do not mean 26 active programs with actual students: one family includes multiple programs, and a row may report zero degrees for that year. Verify the exact program your child is interested in, not just the general field.

As for group size, the official ratio is 12 students per full-time-equivalent faculty member. That is a low ratio in absolute terms. But compared with similar schools, it is above the median—half or more of those schools reported an equal or lower ratio. Both things are true at the same time: low overall, high among its peers. And keep in mind that this ratio does not tell you the actual size of first-year classes. It is an institutional calculation, not a count of seats in a classroom.

The institution also reports structured opportunities: study abroad, a full program that can be completed entirely in the evenings or on weekends, and preparation and certification pathways for people who want to teach, including state approval of its initial teacher certification program.

How Admission Works: Easy to Apply, but With Requirements

There is something important here that is sometimes misunderstood. University of the Incarnate Word does not have open admission—there are parts of the application it reviews before saying yes. Of nine possible considerations, it identifies three as required: the high school transcript, the high school GPA, and an English-proficiency exam for applicants to whom it applies. The personal essay and recommendation letters are not required, but they are considered if you submit them.

If your child studied outside the United States or attended high school in Spanish, ask now whether the English exam applies and what would qualify for an exemption. This is the kind of thing families discover late, making everything more complicated.

The published undergraduate application fee is $0.

In practice, admission is fairly accessible: in the 2023 cycle, 10,421 of the 11,162 applicants received an offer. That is 93 out of every 100. Compared with similar schools, it is on the more accessible side: seven out of ten or more schools in that group admitted an equal or lower percentage. Even so, 741 applicants did not receive an offer—so submitting a complete application on time still matters.

The likelihood of getting in does not make what comes next easy. That acceptance rate is for the entire school during a single cycle. It does not say how much attending will cost, how many students complete their programs, or whether the specific program your child wants has its own additional screening process. Those three questions must be asked separately.

Here is a number worth understanding carefully, because it may sound strange at first: out of every 100 admitted students, only 10 ultimately enrolled. The other 90 do not appear as enrolled here during the reported period—the data do not say whether they attended another school or what they did. Compared with similar institutions, this enrollment share is on the low side: at most of those schools, a larger share of admitted students enrolls.

Do not read that as a mark against the school. Receiving an admission letter is not the same as deciding to attend, and the federal record does not explain why each person made that decision. What I can tell you is this: what other people decided does not tell you what the school will offer you. Wait for your own letter with the net price—that is what will truly determine whether this school stays on your list.

As for standardized tests, the SAT and ACT are not required. If your child submits them, they are considered; if not, the application proceeds just the same. Among those who enrolled and submitted SAT scores—26 out of every 100 students in that cohort—the middle half scored between 470 and 580 in reading and writing and between 430 and 560 in mathematics. Those numbers describe students who were already admitted and chose to submit their scores; they do not describe all applicants, and that 470 is not a minimum, nor is that 580 a guarantee of anything.

If Your Child Is Thinking About Transferring In or Out

Here is an important fact that few families examine: among the full-time, bachelor's-degree-seeking cohort that entered in 2017, 31 out of every 100 transferred to another school without completing a degree here. That is a share on the high side compared with similar institutions. The report does not say why they left, and the fact that many transferred does not mean they did poorly—it means transferring was common.

There is a calculation almost no one checks that matters here: a student who transfers does not count as a graduate of this school, even if that student completes a degree elsewhere. Keep that in mind when comparing graduation rates across colleges and universities.

On the other hand, transfer students also arrive: 321 undergraduates entered this school for the first time in fall 2023 after studying at another institution.

The Sticker Price: What It Costs Before Any Aid

For the 2023–24 year, the reported cost of attendance for a first-time, full-time student living on campus was $53,970. That number is the same whether your family is from Texas or out of state—University of the Incarnate Word does not charge a different rate based on residency.

Compared with the other 888 private schools in this same census, this total falls below the midpoint of the group. And I want to be clear about what this number is: it is the sticker price, calculated for financial-aid purposes. It is not your bill. Complete the FAFSA and request the financial-aid letter in writing. Until you have it, you do not know how much it will cost your family.

The Net Price: What Families Actually End Up Paying, Based on Income

At University of the Incarnate Word, among 237 first-time, full-time, credential-seeking students who received federal Title IV aid and whose EFC records showed family income below $30,000, the average net price was $17,434. Among 136 students from the same population with EFC family income from $48,001 to $75,000, it was $20,732; among 93 students with EFC family income above $110,000, it was $28,584. For dependent students, the income band combines their parents' income with their own.

The difference between the average for the lowest-income band (237 students) and the highest-income band (93 students) is $11,150. Among first-year students who received any grant or scholarship aid, the average was $21,246.

$17,434 was the average net price for families in the lowest-income band during the 2022-23 academic year. That does not mean it is what your family will pay. It helps you determine whether it is worth requesting the financial-aid letter.

None of these figures is a quote for your child. The income bands in this profile describe first-time, full-time, credential-seeking students who received federal Title IV aid; at public institutions, they use the in-state or in-district rate. The overall average for students with grant or scholarship aid, when shown, describes first-time, full-time, credential-seeking students who received federal, state, local, or institutional grants or scholarships. The figure that matters is the financial-aid letter you receive. In the meantime, use the net price calculator on the school's website.

Grants, Pell, and Loans: Where the Money Comes From

Out of every 100 degree-seeking students at this school, 87 received a grant or scholarship that does not have to be repaid. Among those who received one, the annual average was $21,771—a high figure, although that average includes people who received much more and people who received much less. In addition, 45 out of every 100 received a Pell Grant, the federal aid for students with demonstrated financial need.

An average grant or scholarship of $21,771 is real money. But it is not a price: what determines how much you will pay is what remains after all aid, and you must request that figure from each school.

Now for the part that requires more attention. Out of every 100 undergraduates, 75 received a federal student loan in the 2022-23 year. That is the majority, and it is a high share compared with similar schools—on the high side among seven out of ten or more schools in that group. Among those who borrowed, the average amount per borrower that year was $6,124.

Financing with debt is common here, not the exception. If your child borrows a similar amount each year throughout the four-year plan, the total would be around $24,496, before interest. That is a number to consider before the first signature, not at the end of the road. And an important clarification: that average includes only federal loans in the student's name. It does not include PLUS loans that parents sometimes end up signing for, bank debt, or credit cards. Nor is it the total debt with which someone graduates—to calculate that, you would have to add the four years, and that number is not in this report.

The fact that borrowing is common here does not determine whether your child will need to borrow. That depends on the financial-aid letter and the difference between the net price and what your family can actually pay. If the offer includes debt, ask for the estimated monthly payment before accepting anything.

The institution also reports offering a tuition installment payment plan as an additional way to manage the cost.

Housing, ROTC, Athletics, and Campus Life

University of the Incarnate Word does have its own housing. It is not mandatory for all first-time, full-time students—the institution responded that it does not require all of them to live there, although that does not rule out the possibility that a specific program may require it. The reported maximum capacity is 1,217 students. It also offers meal plans, with a fixed number of meals per week in the largest plan. The existence of housing does not guarantee you a room: ask in writing for this year's rate, the application deadline, and whether you are guaranteed a space or placed on a waiting list.

As for ROTC, the school reports that an opportunity is available, and the only branch marked is the Army. The Navy and Air Force are not marked. That does not mean another branch is impossible for your child if your child is interested—it means it is not confirmed in this report and must be asked about directly.

In athletics, the university competes at the intercollegiate level and is affiliated with the NCAA, with membership reported in football, basketball, baseball, and cross-country or track and field. That membership belongs to the institution; it is not a promise to your child. If your child is interested in competing, write directly to the coach for the specific sport and ask in writing about roster availability, division, and athletic scholarships.

As for instructional format, the school offers distance education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Among undergraduates, 14 out of every 100 students took their entire course load at a distance, and 86 had at least one in-person class. The institution also reports offering at least one full program that can be completed at a distance, although the report does not confirm whether that specific program is undergraduate. Verify the exact level and program before assuming anything.

The library has employed staff, physical and digital collections, and interlibrary lending, and its spending exceeded the $100,000 threshold recorded by the federal government. That is only the baseline of what is asked; it does not guarantee that databases specific to your child's program are available. Ask about that using the program's name.

Finally, the institution reports services such as combined academic and career counseling, employment assistance for current students, placement services upon program completion, participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program for veterans, a dedicated point of contact for veterans and their families, a student veterans organization, and a published webpage for disability services. The fact that these services are reported does not tell you how accessible or effective they are in practice. You learn that by talking with someone who already uses them.

Who Stays and Who Graduates

Here we come to the numbers with the greatest long-term weight, and they deserve careful consideration.

Of the cohort that entered in fall 2022 as first-time, full-time, bachelor's-degree-seeking students, 72 out of every 100 met the official retention criterion: one year later, they were still enrolled at this school or had already graduated. Compared with similar schools, it falls slightly below the midpoint of the group. It is not a catastrophic number, but it is also not among the highest for its peers.

Now for graduation. Of the students who entered full time in 2017, 53 out of every 100 had earned a degree from this school six years later. It is approximately half and half. At four years—the timeframe most families have budgeted for—the figure falls to 36 out of every 100, seventeen points lower than at six years. Compared with similar schools, the six-year rate is below the median: more than half of similar institutions graduate a greater share.

The data do not say how many semesters each person attended and do not report tuition, rent, or wages. The data do not tell you why some people take longer. Before deciding, ask directly what support is available to help students finish on time and how long, in practice, the specific program your child is interested in usually takes.

There is an even broader measure: following a cohort of 2,121 students who entered between July 2015 and June 2016—combining full-time and part-time students, first-time students, and students who had already earned credits elsewhere—by the August 2023 reporting point, eight years later, 55 out of every 100 had earned a degree or certificate from this school. Among Pell Grant recipients, the figure was virtually the same: 54 out of every 100. Compared with similar schools, this eight-year share is also below the median.

And the rest? That is where the data become unclear, and I would rather tell you that than oversimplify them. IPEDS reports that 28 out of every 100 had not received a degree here and appeared to have remained enrolled at some point through that date; and 17 out of every 100—exactly 353 people—had an unknown enrollment status, which means only that the report could not determine what happened to them, not that they had stopped studying. These figures do not add up perfectly to one hundred and do not explain one another. That is a genuine limitation of the counting system, not an error specific to this university.

Read it this way: approximately half of the people who enter University of the Incarnate Word end up graduating from the institution itself, allowing up to eight years. The other half is divided among those who went elsewhere, those still making progress, and those the system simply could not track. No number here tells you what will happen to your child. It does tell you how likely recent cohorts have been to complete their programs at this school within that timeframe.

What You Already Know and What You Still Need to Work Out

You now know one piece of the puzzle in considerable detail: what University of the Incarnate Word is, how people get in, how much it actually costs based on family income, how families pay for it, and how likely students have been, according to official data, to stay and graduate from the institution.

That is only one piece. The other two—what your child wants to study and has accomplished so far, and what your family can and is willing to pay—are not in any federal report. Your family knows those things.

If you live in Texas and your child is looking for a campus with a majority-Latino community, there are signs here worth exploring further. If your family budget resembles one of the income bands we reviewed, you already have an idea of the range in which the actual offer might fall before you sit down to wait for the letter. And if graduating on time matters to you as much as the total cost, that is exactly the question to ask the university directly, using the exact name of the program your child is interested in.

No data in this article make the decision for you. But now, when you sit down at home to talk about this university, you will do so with real information on the table, not assumptions. That was the work you needed to do, and it is now done.

Source: The information in this article comes from data reported by University of the Incarnate Word to the United States Department of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), primarily for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 years. Best College Aid does not represent University of the Incarnate Word or any government agency; this article is an independent informational resource.