EIU vs. University of Houston-Downtown

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL with University of Houston Downtown in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Houston Downtown is larger than EIU based on total student enrollment (13,730 students vs. 8,505 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting); University of Houston Downtown is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Illinois University 14:1; University of Houston Downtown 18:1.

EIU vs. University of Houston-Downtown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EIU or University of Houston-Downtown? 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 University of Houston Downtown than EIU ($10,832 vs. $13,787).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Downtown are 17.1% lower than at Eastern Illinois University ($10,176 vs. $12,282).
• Eastern Illinois University is 77.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $5,971 more per year; $13,679.00 vs. $7,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.2% higher at University of Houston-Downtown than at Eastern Illinois University (about $1,331 more per year; $17,548.00 vs. $16,217.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Illinois University than at University of Houston Downtown (95% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Illinois University students is 26.4% larger than aid received by University of Houston Downtown students ($12,960 vs. $10,257).

EIU vs. University of Houston-Downtown Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EIU or University of Houston-Downtown? 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 University of Houston-Downtown and EIU.

• University of Houston Downtown reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston Downtown (1030) is 40 points higher than at EIU (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Illinois University 880/1090; University of Houston Downtown 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Houston Downtown 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EIU - Test optional; University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman EIU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at University of Houston-Downtown (3.29).
• University of Houston-Downtown has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than EIU (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at EIU vs. 20% at University of Houston-Downtown.

EIU vs. University of Houston-Downtown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EIU and University of Houston-Downtown? 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).

• Eastern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than University of Houston Downtown's (15%).
• Graduates from University of Houston Downtown earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than EIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $43,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Downtown graduates have a $4,900 lower median loan debt than EIU graduates ($18,750 vs. $23,650).
• Among borrowers, University of Houston-Downtown graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EIU graduates ($193 vs. $244).
• More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Houston-Downtown students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 41%)

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.