AAMU vs. TSU

Deciding between Alabama A & M University and Texas Southern University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Alabama A & M University
Texas Southern University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • AAMU Normal, AL
  • TSU Houston, TX
  • Setting
  • AAMU Midsize City
  • TSU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • AAMU 7,295
  • TSU 8,704
  • Type
  • AAMU Public 4 Year
  • TSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • AAMU #1011
  • TSU #1020
  • Religious Affiliation
  • AAMU -
  • TSU -
  • Status
  • AAMU Non-profit
  • TSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • AAMU
  • TSU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • AAMU $10,024
  • TSU $9,173
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • AAMU $18,634
  • TSU $21,473
  • Room & Board
  • AAMU $11,402
  • TSU $12,800
  • Average Net Price
  • AAMU $17,152
  • TSU $13,584
  • Average Grant Aid
  • AAMU $12,844
  • TSU $9,823
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • AAMU 86%
  • TSU 95%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • AAMU 23,406
  • TSU 9,391
  • Admitted
  • AAMU 13,564
  • TSU 9,101
  • Acceptance Rate
  • AAMU 58%
  • TSU 96.9%
  • Enrolled
  • AAMU 14.5%
  • TSU 17.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AAMU 930
  • TSU 900
  • Typical ACT score
  • AAMU 16
  • TSU 17
  • Average High School GPA
  • AAMU 3.02
  • TSU 3.0
  • Typical High School Grades
  • AAMU B
  • TSU B
  • Admissions Standards
  • AAMU Extremely Easy
  • TSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • AAMU Low
  • TSU
  • ACT Range
  • AAMU 14/19
  • TSU 15/19
  • SAT Range
  • AAMU 810/1040
  • TSU 800/1000
  • Submit Test Scores
  • AAMU Test optional
  • TSU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • AAMU
  • TSU Jul 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • AAMU 19:1
  • TSU 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • AAMU
    • Business (19%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Human Services (6%)
  • TSU
    • Business (20%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • AAMU 32%
  • TSU 12%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • AAMU $34,300
  • TSU $36,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • AAMU 25%
  • TSU 22%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • AAMU $35,000
  • TSU $29,358
  • Median Loan Payment
  • AAMU $361
  • TSU $303
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • AAMU 41%
  • TSU 35%
  • % Women
  • AAMU 59%
  • TSU 65%
  • Racial Diversity
  • AAMU Extremely Low
  • TSU Low
  • HBCU
  • AAMU Yes
  • TSU Yes
  • % White
  • AAMU 3%
  • TSU 2%
  • % Asian
  • AAMU 0%
  • TSU 2%
  • % Black
  • AAMU 92%
  • TSU 80%
  • % Hispanic
  • AAMU 1%
  • TSU 6%
  • % Native American
  • AAMU 0%
  • TSU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • AAMU 0%
  • TSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • AAMU 0%
  • TSU 0%
  • % International
  • AAMU 1%
  • TSU 8%
  • % Unknown Race
  • AAMU 3%
  • TSU 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • AAMU 45%
  • TSU 78%
  • % Out-of-State
  • AAMU 54%
  • TSU 20%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • AAMU Yes
  • TSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • AAMU No
  • TSU No
  • Meal Plan
  • AAMU Yes
  • TSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • AAMU Yes
  • TSU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • AAMU Yes
  • TSU Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Alabama A & M University in Normal, AL with Texas Southern University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas Southern University is larger than AAMU based on total student enrollment (8,704 students vs. 7,295 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Alabama A & M University is located in Normal, AL (Midsize City setting); Texas Southern University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
  • Alabama A & M University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Southern University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Alabama A & M University 19:1; Texas Southern University 19:1.

AAMU vs. TSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AAMU or TSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Texas Southern University than AAMU ($13,584 vs. $17,152).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alabama A & M University are 10.9% lower than at Texas Southern University ($11,402 vs. $12,800).
  • Alabama A & M University is 9.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than TSU (about $851 more per year; $10,024.00 vs. $9,173.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 15.2% higher at TSU than at Alabama A & M University (about $2,839 more per year; $21,473.00 vs. $18,634.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Southern University than at Alabama A & M University (95% vs. 86%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Alabama A & M University students is 30.8% larger than aid received by Texas Southern University students ($12,844 vs. $9,823).

AAMU vs. TSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AAMU or TSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between TSU and AAMU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Alabama A & M University (930) is 30 points higher than at TSU (900).
  • Incoming TSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (17 vs. 16 at AAMU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama A & M University 810/1040; Texas Southern University 800/1000.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama A & M University 14/19; Texas Southern University 15/19.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AAMU - Test optional; TSU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: TSU Jul 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman AAMU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.02) than students at TSU (3.0).
  • TSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than AAMU (58%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.5% at AAMU vs. 17.9% at TSU.

AAMU vs. TSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AAMU and TSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Alabama A & M University's six-year graduation rate (32%) is higher than Texas Southern University's (12%).
  • Graduates from Texas Southern University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than AAMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,200 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas Southern University graduates have a $5,642 lower median loan debt than AAMU graduates ($29,358 vs. $35,000).
  • Among borrowers, TSU graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AAMU graduates ($303 vs. $361).
  • More AAMU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TSU students, three years after graduation. (25% vs. 22%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.