HBU vs. TSU

Deciding between Houston Christian 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.

Houston Christian University
Texas Southern University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • HBU Houston, TX
  • TSU Houston, TX
  • Setting
  • HBU Large City
  • TSU Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • HBU 4,276
  • TSU 8,704
  • Type
  • HBU Private 4 Year
  • TSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • HBU #837
  • TSU #1020
  • Religious Affiliation
  • HBU Southern Baptist
  • TSU -
  • Status
  • HBU Non-profit
  • TSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • HBU
  • TSU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • HBU $39,430
  • TSU $9,173
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • HBU $39,430
  • TSU $21,473
  • Room & Board
  • HBU $12,928
  • TSU $12,800
  • Average Net Price
  • HBU $21,282
  • TSU $13,584
  • Average Grant Aid
  • HBU $28,870
  • TSU $9,823
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • HBU 100%
  • TSU 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • HBU 8,455
  • TSU 9,391
  • Admitted
  • HBU 7,139
  • TSU 9,101
  • Acceptance Rate
  • HBU 84.4%
  • TSU 96.9%
  • Enrolled
  • HBU 10.5%
  • TSU 17.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • HBU 1090
  • TSU 900
  • Typical ACT score
  • HBU 20
  • TSU 17
  • Average High School GPA
  • HBU 3.46
  • TSU 3.0
  • Typical High School Grades
  • HBU B+
  • TSU B
  • Admissions Standards
  • HBU Easy
  • TSU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • HBU
  • TSU
  • ACT Range
  • HBU 17/24
  • TSU 15/19
  • SAT Range
  • HBU 990/1190
  • TSU 800/1000
  • Submit Test Scores
  • HBU Test optional
  • TSU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • HBU
  • TSU Jul 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • HBU 18:1
  • TSU 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • HBU
    • Business (21%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
  • TSU
    • Business (20%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • General Studies (7%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • HBU 45%
  • TSU 12%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • HBU $51,600
  • TSU $36,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • HBU 54%
  • TSU 22%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • HBU $24,166
  • TSU $29,358
  • Median Loan Payment
  • HBU $249
  • TSU $303

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • HBU 36%
  • TSU 35%
  • % Women
  • HBU 64%
  • TSU 65%
  • Racial Diversity
  • HBU Very High
  • TSU Low
  • HBCU
  • HBU No
  • TSU Yes
  • % White
  • HBU 27%
  • TSU 2%
  • % Asian
  • HBU 10%
  • TSU 2%
  • % Black
  • HBU 19%
  • TSU 80%
  • % Hispanic
  • HBU 30%
  • TSU 6%
  • % Native American
  • HBU 0%
  • TSU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • HBU 0%
  • TSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • HBU 5%
  • TSU 0%
  • % International
  • HBU 4%
  • TSU 8%
  • % Unknown Race
  • HBU 4%
  • TSU 0%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • HBU 91%
  • TSU 78%
  • % Out-of-State
  • HBU 6%
  • TSU 20%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Houston Christian University in Houston, TX 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 HBU based on total student enrollment (8,704 students vs. 4,276 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Houston Christian University is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Texas Southern University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
  • Houston Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Southern University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Houston Christian University 18:1; Texas Southern University 19:1.

HBU vs. TSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HBU 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 HBU ($13,584 vs. $21,282).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Southern University are 1% lower than at Houston Christian University ($12,800 vs. $12,928).
  • Houston Christian University is 329.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than TSU (about $30,257 more per year; $39,430.00 vs. $9,173.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 83.6% higher at HBU than at Texas Southern University (about $17,957 more per year; $39,430.00 vs. $21,473.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Houston Christian University than at Texas Southern University (100% vs. 95%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Houston Christian University students is 193.9% larger than aid received by Texas Southern University students ($28,870 vs. $9,823).

HBU vs. TSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HBU 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 HBU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Houston Christian University (1090) is 190 points higher than at TSU (900).
  • Incoming HBU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at TSU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houston Christian University 990/1190; Texas Southern University 800/1000.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houston Christian University 17/24; Texas Southern University 15/19.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HBU - Test optional; TSU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: TSU Jul 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman HBU students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at TSU (3.0).
  • TSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than HBU (84.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.5% at HBU vs. 17.9% at TSU.

HBU vs. TSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HBU 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).

  • Houston Christian University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Texas Southern University's (12%).
  • Graduates from Houston Christian University earn a median of about $15,400 more per year than TSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,600 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Houston Christian University graduates have a $5,192 lower median loan debt than TSU graduates ($24,166 vs. $29,358).
  • Among borrowers, HBU graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TSU graduates ($249 vs. $303).
  • More HBU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TSU students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.