DSC vs. TSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Dalton State College in Dalton, GA 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 DSC based on total student enrollment (8,704 students vs. 5,135 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dalton State College is located in Dalton, GA (Small City setting); Texas Southern University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Southern University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dalton State College 21:1; Texas Southern University 19:1.

DSC vs. TSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSC 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 Dalton State College than TSU ($5,625 vs. $13,584).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dalton State College are 18.6% lower than at Texas Southern University ($10,419 vs. $12,800).
• Texas Southern University is 175% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $5,837 more per year; $9,173.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 101.5% higher at TSU than at Dalton State College (about $10,817 more per year; $21,473.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Southern University than at Dalton State College (95% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Southern University students is 47.6% larger than aid received by Dalton State College students ($9,823 vs. $6,654).

DSC vs. TSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSC 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 DSC.

• Dalton State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTexas Southern University 800/1000.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTexas Southern University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DSC - Open admission; TSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DSC Jul 1, 2027; TSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DSC students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.1) than students at TSU (3.0).

DSC vs. TSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSC 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).

• Dalton State College's six-year graduation rate (16%) is higher than Texas Southern University's (12%).
• Graduates from Texas Southern University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than DSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,200 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dalton State College graduates have a $14,471 lower median loan debt than TSU graduates ($14,887 vs. $29,358).
• Among borrowers, DSC graduates have an estimated $150 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TSU graduates ($153 vs. $303).
• More DSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TSU students, three years after graduation. (42% 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.