DBU vs. HSU

Deciding between Dallas Baptist University and Hardin Simmons 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.

Dallas Baptist University
Hardin Simmons University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • DBU Dallas, TX
  • HSU Abilene, TX
  • Setting
  • DBU Large City
  • HSU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • DBU 4,124
  • HSU 1,665
  • Type
  • DBU Private 4 Year
  • HSU Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • DBU #542
  • HSU #648
  • Religious Affiliation
  • DBU Baptist
  • HSU Baptist
  • Status
  • DBU Non-profit
  • HSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • DBU
  • HSU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • DBU $40,190
  • HSU $32,960
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • DBU $40,190
  • HSU $32,960
  • Room & Board
  • DBU $11,876
  • HSU $11,500
  • Average Net Price
  • DBU $30,057
  • HSU $19,811
  • Average Grant Aid
  • DBU $22,711
  • HSU $26,095
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • DBU 97%
  • HSU 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • DBU 6,163
  • HSU 3,479
  • Admitted
  • DBU 5,475
  • HSU 3,131
  • Acceptance Rate
  • DBU 88.8%
  • HSU 90%
  • Enrolled
  • DBU 11.2%
  • HSU 12.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • DBU 1090
  • HSU 1100
  • Typical ACT score
  • DBU 23
  • HSU 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • DBU 3.46
  • HSU 3.43
  • Typical High School Grades
  • DBU B+
  • HSU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • DBU Moderate
  • HSU Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • DBU
  • HSU
  • ACT Range
  • DBU 20/26
  • HSU 19/26
  • SAT Range
  • DBU 960/1213
  • HSU 1010/1190
  • Submit Test Scores
  • DBU Test optional
  • HSU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • DBU
  • HSU
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • DBU 16:1
  • HSU 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • DBU
    • Business (28%)
    • General Studies (15%)
    • Theology and Religious Vvocations (10%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Communication (9%)
  • HSU
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • DBU 56%
  • HSU 47%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • DBU $47,700
  • HSU $46,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • DBU 54%
  • HSU 67%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • DBU $21,750
  • HSU $25,989
  • Median Loan Payment
  • DBU $224
  • HSU $268
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • DBU 41%
  • HSU 46%
  • % Women
  • DBU 59%
  • HSU 54%
  • Racial Diversity
  • DBU High
  • HSU Medium
  • HBCU
  • DBU No
  • HSU No
  • % White
  • DBU 60%
  • HSU 71%
  • % Asian
  • DBU 2%
  • HSU 1%
  • % Black
  • DBU 15%
  • HSU 6%
  • % Hispanic
  • DBU 15%
  • HSU 15%
  • % Native American
  • DBU 1%
  • HSU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • DBU 0%
  • HSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • DBU 0%
  • HSU 4%
  • % International
  • DBU 7%
  • HSU 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • DBU 0%
  • HSU 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • DBU 92%
  • HSU 92%
  • % Out-of-State
  • DBU 8%
  • HSU 5%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Dallas Baptist University in Dallas, TX with Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dallas Baptist University is larger than HSU based on total student enrollment (4,124 students vs. 1,665 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Dallas Baptist University is located in Dallas, TX (Large City setting); Hardin Simmons University is in Abilene, TX (Midsize City setting).
  • Dallas Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Hardin Simmons University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Dallas Baptist University 16:1; Hardin Simmons University 15:1.

DBU vs. HSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DBU or HSU? 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 Hardin Simmons University than DBU ($19,811 vs. $30,057).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hardin Simmons University are 3.2% lower than at Dallas Baptist University ($11,500 vs. $11,876).
  • Dallas Baptist University is 21.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than HSU (about $7,230 more per year; $40,190.00 vs. $32,960.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 21.9% higher at DBU than at Hardin Simmons University (about $7,230 more per year; $40,190.00 vs. $32,960.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hardin Simmons University than at Dallas Baptist University (100% vs. 97%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Hardin Simmons University students is 14.9% larger than aid received by Dallas Baptist University students ($26,095 vs. $22,711).

DBU vs. HSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DBU or HSU? 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 HSU and DBU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hardin Simmons University (1100) is 10 points higher than at DBU (1090).
  • Incoming DBU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at HSU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dallas Baptist University 960/1213; Hardin Simmons University 1010/1190.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dallas Baptist University 20/26; Hardin Simmons University 19/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DBU - Test optional; HSU - Test optional.
  • Accepted freshman DBU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at HSU (3.43).
  • HSU has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than DBU (88.8%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.2% at DBU vs. 12.2% at HSU.

DBU vs. HSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DBU and HSU? 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).

  • Dallas Baptist University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Hardin Simmons University's (47%).
  • Graduates from Dallas Baptist University earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than HSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $46,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Dallas Baptist University graduates have a $4,239 lower median loan debt than HSU graduates ($21,750 vs. $25,989).
  • Among borrowers, DBU graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HSU graduates ($224 vs. $268).
  • More HSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DBU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 54%)

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.