
Trinity University, San Antonio, is a private liberal arts and sciences institution. It is not a Catholic college, but it is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. The university offers 47 undergraduate majors and 59 minors across traditional liberal arts, business, sciences, fine arts, and engineering. It is known for its beautiful campus, small class sizes, rigorous academics, and research opportunities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | San Antonio, Texas |
| Type of Institution | Private liberal arts and sciences institution |
| Religious Affiliation | Presbyterian Church |
| Year Founded | 1869 |
| Accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools |
| Campus Size | 125 acres |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | 8:1 or 9:1 |
| Enrollment | 2,531 (fall 2023) |
| Tuition and Fees | $53,676 |
| Acceptance Rate | 7.3% RD acceptance rate |
| Graduation Rate | 73% (four-year) |
| Student Organizations | Over 115 |
| Fraternity and Sorority Involvement | 25% |
| Sports Participation | 70% (club or intramural); 25% (varsity athletics) |
| Campus Culture | Close-knit community, supportive environment |
| Academic Flexibility | High |
| Research Opportunities | Abundant |
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What You'll Learn
- Trinity University is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church
- The college is not considered a Christian college by some
- Trinity University is a private liberal arts and sciences institution
- The college has a reputation for being filled with upper-class Texans
- The college has a low acceptance rate and is considered prestigious

Trinity University is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church
Trinity University, a private liberal arts college in San Antonio, Texas, is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. It was founded in 1869 by the Cumberland Presbyterians as a coeducational institution. The university's first campus was in Tehuacana, Texas, and was built on 1,100 acres of land donated by John Boyd, a former Texas senator.
The university is currently related by covenant to the Synod of the Sun, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). This affiliation began in 1969, the university's 100th year, when Trinity entered into a covenant relationship with the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (UPCUSA). This covenant was reaffirmed in the university's 150th year.
Trinity University's Presbyterian roots go back to its founding by the Cumberland Presbyterians in 1869. The university was established as a merger of three schools that had lost significant enrollment during the Civil War: Chapel Hill College, Ewing College, and Larissa College. The Cumberland Presbyterians valued both experiential religion and higher education and founded or controlled nearly 40 institutions identified as colleges or universities across the nation during the nineteenth century.
Trinity University's campus continues to be a "historically connected" member of the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities. The university's development has been shaped by its religious affiliation, with a commitment to the intellectual, moral, physical, and spiritual growth of its students. The campus ministry is based in the Margarite B. Parker Chapel and is open to students of all faiths.
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The college is not considered a Christian college by some
Trinity University, a private liberal arts and sciences institution in San Antonio, Texas, was founded in 1869. The college is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. However, some do not consider it a Christian college.
The college's history is closely tied to the Protestant community in San Antonio. In 1942, as the Methodist-affiliated University of San Antonio was failing, Trinity University stepped in and took over its campus and alumni. This relocation ensured the continued presence of a Protestant-affiliated college in the city.
While Trinity University has a religious affiliation, it offers a secular education with a focus on liberal arts and sciences. The college offers 47 undergraduate majors and 59 minors across various disciplines, including traditional liberal arts, business, sciences, fine arts, and engineering. The college also offers graduate programs in several fields.
Some may not consider Trinity University a Christian college due to its emphasis on academic flexibility and secular fields of study. The college attracts students from diverse backgrounds, including out-of-state, international, and middle-class students, which may contribute to a perception of religious diversity or neutrality. Additionally, the college's low acceptance rate of 7.3% and prestigious reputation may overshadow its religious affiliation in the public eye.
Furthermore, Trinity University's lack of local community engagement and advertising may contribute to its perception as an unknown entity in San Antonio. Some locals have commented that the college does not host events or recruit locally, making it seem disconnected from the city it resides in. This lack of community interaction could contribute to the perception that the college is not actively involved with or representative of a specific religious group, including Christianity.
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Trinity University is a private liberal arts and sciences institution
The university is situated on a 125-acre urban campus and is recognised as a research institution. It has a student-faculty ratio of 8:1 or 9:1, depending on the source, and a semester-based academic calendar. The university offers a First-Year Experience Program, which is a 6-credit program that includes guest speakers, student conferences, and research. It also emphasises close interaction between students and faculty members.
Trinity University is known for its academic excellence, small class sizes, and abundant internships and undergraduate research opportunities. The campus is described as beautiful, with red bricks, ivy, and oak trees. The university has a strong focus on sustainability and is a member of the Presidents' Climate Commitment, working towards carbon neutrality. It has several buildings certified or registered with the Green Building Council's LEED program.
The university has a vibrant student life, with over 115 student organisations and a quarter of students involved in fraternity and sorority life. More than 70% of students participate in club or intramural sports, and 25% in varsity athletics. The Trinity Tigers compete in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference at the Division III level. Campus traditions include studying beside the school's magic stones for good luck and weekly "Milk 'n' Cookies" hangouts.
Trinity University is considered prestigious, with a low acceptance rate, and is known for its challenging academics and intelligent, ambitious students. It has a reputation for being elite and expensive, with tuition and fees of around $53,000 for the 2024-25 academic year. However, 45% of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the university offers a test-optional admissions policy.
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The college has a reputation for being filled with upper-class Texans
Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, has a reputation for being filled with upper-class Texans. While the university welcomes students from diverse backgrounds, including out-of-state, international, and middle-class students on scholarships, its reputation as an elite and expensive institution persists. With tuition fees of $53,676 for the 2024-2025 academic year and a low acceptance rate, Trinity University is considered prestigious and selective.
Historically, Trinity University has been regarded as the nicest college in San Antonio, and attending it was considered an honour. The university is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church and offers undergraduate degrees in 47 academic majors. It has a strong academic reputation, with small class sizes, a 9:1 or 8:1 student-faculty ratio, and a focus on close interaction between students and professors. The university also emphasises research, offering undergraduate research opportunities and managing millions of dollars in research and development.
The campus is described as beautiful, with red bricks, ivy, and oak trees. It is located in a booming city that offers cultural opportunities and attractions such as the Alamo and River Walk. The university has a variety of traditions, including studying for exams beside the school's magic stones for good luck and weekly "Milk 'n' Cookies" hangouts. The Trinity Tigers, the university's athletic teams, compete at the Division III level and have a rich history, including once having a live tiger as their mascot.
While the university has a reputation for being filled with upper-class Texans, it also offers financial aid, with 45% of first-year students receiving need-based assistance. The university fosters a close-knit community and provides a supportive environment for its students, who are described as intelligent, ambitious, and driven. Trinity University's reputation extends beyond academics, with a focus on student experience and a variety of extracurricular activities, including over 115 student organisations, fraternity and sorority life, and varsity athletics.
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The college has a low acceptance rate and is considered prestigious
Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, is a highly selective institution with a low acceptance rate, making it a prestigious choice for prospective students. The university has a rich history, having been founded in 1869 and affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. It offers a wide range of academic programmes and boasts a vibrant campus life.
With an acceptance rate of around 7.3%, Trinity University is considered selective in its admissions process. This low acceptance rate contributes to its prestige and indicates a rigorous academic environment. The university offers a variety of academic programmes, including liberal arts, business, sciences, fine arts, and engineering. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is recognised as a Research College, having managed nearly $5.3 million in research and development in 2023.
The university's small size, with an undergraduate enrollment of around 2,500 students, fosters a close-knit community and personalised attention for its students. The student-faculty ratio is 8:1 or 9:1, depending on the source, allowing for close interaction and support from professors. The campus itself is described as beautiful, with red bricks, ivy, and oak trees, and is located in an urban setting spanning 125 acres.
Trinity University's selectivity and prestige are further emphasised by its high post-graduation employment rate. 98% of Trinity students are employed or accepted into graduate school within six months of graduating. The university also offers a range of extracurricular activities, with over 115 student organisations, a vibrant Greek life, and a variety of club and varsity sports.
While the university has a reputation for serving primarily upper-class, suburbanite, and Texan students, it also welcomes a diverse population, including out-of-state, international, and middle-class students on scholarships. The academic flexibility, small class sizes, internships, and undergraduate research opportunities further contribute to its appeal. Located in the heart of San Antonio, the university provides easy access to cultural opportunities and attractions, enhancing the overall student experience.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Trinity University is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church.
Trinity University has a low acceptance rate of 7.3%.
The student-faculty ratio at Trinity University is 8:1 or 9:1, depending on the source.











































