Schreiner University: “Enter with Hope, Leave with Achievement”

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Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, is named after Captain Charles Schreiner, the Texas Ranger and “Father of the Hill Country” who provided the original land and endowment for the school. His story, like many other Texans, is one of courage, strength, hope, and resolve. Charles Schreiner came to Texas as a teenager and lost his parents soon after he arrived. The odds were against him, but through hard work and commitment, he built a business empire in Kerr County, the heart of the Texas Hill Country. His operations included ranching, retail, freight, banking and brokering.

As early as 1906, records indicate that the Presbyterian Church of West Texas intended to start a school in Kerrville, recognizing that the people of Texas Hill Country needed a quality education. Captain Schreiner also had a vision of a school educating young men—and later young women—in the military tradition. In 1923, the Presbytery and Capt. Schreiner worked together to make that school become a reality. Schreiner donated land along the Guadalupe River to accommodate the new school, and his namesake university is still affiliated with the Presbyterian Church.

About

Schreiner University is dedicated to strengthening Texas through education, leadership, and cultural appreciation. The Texas Center celebrates the state’s unique history and culture. The Center for Talent and Workforce Development drives workforce training and community education.

The Schreiner Institute equips future military leaders through Academy Prep, ROTC, and Veterans programs. Students can train at Schreiner Field for FAA pilot certifications while taking classes on campus in preparation for an aviation career.

The Schreiner University Field Station sets aside over 30 acres of Guadalupe River floodplain for research, teaching, and discovery. Amenities include a wet lab, specimen collection, cattle tank mesocosm array, astronomy observatory, vineyard, community garden, and river access.

Degrees & Majors

Catering to a vibrant and diverse population, Schreiner University offers 39 distinct undergraduate degrees concentrated into 29 majors within 17 broad fields of study. Popular academic programs at Schreiner include:

Agriculture and Natural Resources Management
Aviation Studies
Biomedical, Nursing, Medical Technology, and Health Sciences
Communication, Journalism, and Public Relations
Computer Science, Information Technology, and Cybersecurity
Education
Engineering
English Language and Literature/Letters
History and Regional Studies
Life Sciences, including Biology, Chemistry, and Microbiology
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology
Psychology
Visual and Performing Arts

Who Is Schreiner Best For?

Schreiner University offers a unique experience compared to many other Texas universities, especially when you look at size, setting, and student focus. If you want a wide range of majors, cutting-edge research, or big-campus energy, you might lean toward larger Texas universities. But if you’re looking for:

A tight-knit community
Personalized academics
Career-focused degree plans
Hands-on learning
A scenic, rural campus

Schreiner might just be your kind of place! Here are some fun facts about Schreiner University…

Academics

With a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Schreiner offers a high-quality education with a more personalized academic feel than larger public universities like UT Austin or Texas A&M.
Schreiner emphasizes small class sizes and experiential learning, giving students more personalized attention and hands-on experience.
Professors are known for being approachable and invested in student success.
Schreiner ranks #21 among private colleges in Texas.

Campus Environment

Located in rural Kerrville, Texas, Schreiner provides a peaceful, nature-rich setting—ideal for students who prefer a quieter, close-knit campus over bustling urban environments.
College life at Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, offers a cozy, close-knit experience with a strong sense of community and plenty of outdoor charm.
There are seventy-three (73) churches in or near Kerrville, Texas.

Athletics & Recreation

Schreiner University competes in NCAA Division III, with sports like basketball, soccer, volleyball, and wrestling.
Intramural and club sports, along with outdoor recreation and competitive shotgun sports, are also available.

Cost & Value

Schreiner’s tuition is higher than most public universities in Texas, but comparable to other private institutions.
Schreiner University offers generous financial aid, which can offset the cost for eligible students.
Choose SU Online and Save 81% Compared to the Cost of a Traditional Degree!

Student Life

Campus life is more relaxed, with fewer extracurricular options than larger schools, but still includes Greek life, athletics, and unique traditions.
While the party scene is modest, there are fraternity/sorority options, student clubs, and intramural sports to keep things lively.
Campus facilities include a student den with games, karaoke, and hangout spaces.
Support services include tutoring, counseling, and career guidance.

Admissions

Homeschool students can prepare for a bright future with personalized education at Schreiner University. Schreiner University bases admission decisions on holistic applications, including GPA and extra-curricular involvement during high school. High school GPA and GPA scale can be self-reported on the application (no transcript required). SAT or ACT scores, essays, and letters of recommendation are optional.

Here is a template to use for your resume: College Resume Template

Learn more at https://schreiner.edu/admissions/apply/freshman

Community

Kerrville, Texas, is best known for its parks that line the Guadalupe River, which runs directly through the city; other features include its nearby youth summer camps, hunting ranches, and RV parks. Kerrville is home to the annual Texas State Arts and Crafts Fair, and the Kerrville Folk Festival. Captain Charles Schreiner’s mansion, a Romanesque stone structure in downtown Kerrville, is the site of the Hill Country Museum, which is operated by Schreiner University. The Coming King Sculpture Prayer Garden is a 24.5-acre spiritual art park in Kerrville. A scale replica of Stonehenge is located on the grounds of the Hill Country Arts Foundation in nearby Ingram.

Searching for his missing parents after the historic flood that devastated the area on July 4th, 2025, Robert Brake described Kerrville as “probably the friendliest community we would have been part of, and we’re grateful and thankful for everybody.” The River Trail where Brake searched meanders along the Guadalupe River through downtown Kerrville, connecting parks and recreation areas representing both the community’s connection to the river and the path that floodwaters took through the heart of the city.

Helping Flood Victims

Schreiner University responded quickly and compassionately after the Texas Hill Country flood. Past and present Schreiner students, along with faculty, staff and friends, immediately reached out asking how they could help. Their first priority when they heard about the tragedy was to make sure people had shelter. Starting on Friday, July 5th, the local university opened its doors to flood victims.

The president of Schreiner University, Dr. Charlie McCormick, reported that they lodged some campers who were evacuated. Staff “created a space where some very fragile girls who had been through hell could find peace and a place to sleep,” McCormick said in an email. “Throughout the night they kept watch, managing the despair of families desperately seeking information on their missing loved ones and the extraordinary reunion of each camper with her family. Some 50 first responders stayed on campus that evening, too, grabbing a few hours of sleep before leaving again for the rescue and recovery work.”

The need soon shifted to housing utility workers and other personnel sent to help the Hill Country “try to stitch itself back together,” McCormick wrote. “We will turn the campus into a community resource and tend to our friends and neighbors in their hours of need.”

The Rev. Dr. Dongwoo Lee, Schreiner University chaplain, contributed a prayer that included this: “We will lift our eyes to you, not because we understand all things, but because you are the One who walks with us through deep waters. … May prayer guide what we do. May compassion shape how we serve. And as students, faculty, and staff care for others, may they also experience hope and strength that come from you.”

Schreiner University President Charlie McCormick gave an emotional statement about the Fourth of July flooding:

“Etched in stone at the entrance to our campus are the words ‘Enter with Hope.’ These words have a new layer of meaning now. Those in need of rest came through our gates with tremendous amounts of uncertainty but also hope. And that simple phrase has now become a quiet reflection of what our campus can offer in this moment. A place to rest, regroup and feel cared for.”

McCormick said, “We’re committed to being part of the recovery in ways that we can be helpful, not just today, but for the long haul. This is our home, and these are our people. We’ll continue to open our doors off our hands and stand beside our community.”

“Schriener’s doing what Kerrville does. We show up for each other,” McCormick stated. “The strength and compassion this community has shown over the past few days is inspiring.”

In summary, Schreiner University is a friendly, compassionate, outdoor-oriented community that provides students with a personalized, integrated, and holistic educational experience that prepares them for meaningful work and purposeful lives.