Salaries at ACU

At Abilene Christian University (ACU), located in Abilene, Texas, salary expectations for faculty and staff are typically determined by a combination of factors including role, academic rank, years of experience, and field of expertise. Salaries often vary significantly between academic disciplines, with fields like business, engineering, and health sciences generally commanding higher compensation due to market demand. Administrative roles are influenced by the level of responsibility and scope of duties. While ACU does not publicly publish transparent salary bands or detailed compensation data on its official website, some information may be inferred from industry standards for private Christian universities in Texas and national salary surveys for higher education institutions.

• Assistant Professor: Typical salary range is approximately $50,000–$65,000 USD per year, depending on the department and prior teaching or research experience. Entry-level roles may start at the lower end.
• Associate Professor: Average salary range is around $65,000–$80,000 USD annually, often reflecting tenure status and additional research or publication achievements.
• Full Professor: Salaries typically fall between $80,000–$100,000+ USD per year, with higher earnings for those with significant seniority, leadership roles, or external research funding.
• Department Chair: Compensation ranges from $85,000–$110,000 USD, influenced by administrative duties and the size of the department.
• Administrative Staff (e.g., Admissions Counselor): Salaries generally range from $35,000–$50,000 USD, with variations based on experience and specific responsibilities.

Salaries at Abilene Christian University appear to be competitive within the context of private, faith-based institutions of similar size in the region, though they may not always match those at larger public universities in Texas. Progression in compensation often correlates with academic promotions, tenure, and additional responsibilities such as committee leadership or program development. Since ACU is a private institution, salary data is not subject to the same public disclosure requirements as state-funded universities, which limits transparency. Employees and prospective hires are encouraged to negotiate based on market benchmarks for higher education roles in Texas and to consider non-monetary benefits like campus community and professional development opportunities that ACU may offer.