Abilene Christian University received the highest possible score and an A+ rating for financial health in the Forbes 2026 College Financial Grades. ACU’s 4.5 GPA, the highest score awarded, and A+ rating place it among the top four Texas private schools – alongside Rice, Trinity and TCU.
The list assessed 928 private colleges using data from the Department of Education’s National Center For Educational Statistics as well as from higher education analytics and consulting firm Perspective Data Science, which zeroes in on colleges’ true liquidity. Only 103 universities in the nation received an A+, and only 71 scored a 4.5 GPA.
“To be recognized among the top performers nationwide – at a time when financial pressures across higher education continue to intensify – speaks to ACU’s strength and sustainability,” said Dr. Phil Schubert, ACU president. “I’m incredibly proud of the way our administration, faculty and staff steward our resources with integrity and excellence. A solid financial foundation allows us to provide a world-class education and an exceptional experience for our students.”
The Forbes College Financial Grades report used 10 metrics in evaluating the financial health of private, not-for-profit colleges:
- Endowment assets per student (15%)
- Three-year average of liquid reserves compared to annual operating expenses (15%)
- Primary reserve ratio (10%)
- Long-term debt coverage (10%)
- Core operating margin (10%)
- Two-year enrollment growth (10%)
- Tuition as a percentage of core revenues (7.5%)
- Return on assets (7.5%)
- Net tuition revenue per student (7.5%)
- Instruction expenses per student (7.5%)