HBU vs. Texas State

Comparable Facts

Compare Houston Christian University in Houston, TX with Texas State University in San Marcos, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas State University is larger than HBU based on total student enrollment (40,674 students vs. 4,276 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Houston Christian University is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Texas State University is in San Marcos, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Houston Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Houston Christian University 18:1; Texas State University 21:1.

HBU vs. Texas State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HBU or Texas State? 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 State University than HBU ($15,716 vs. $21,282).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas State University are 2.3% lower than at Houston Christian University ($12,630 vs. $12,928).
• Houston Christian University is 244.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Texas State (about $27,980 more per year; $39,430.00 vs. $11,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72% higher at HBU than at Texas State University (about $16,500 more per year; $39,430.00 vs. $22,930.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Houston Christian University than at Texas State University (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Houston Christian University students is 129.9% larger than aid received by Texas State University students ($28,870 vs. $12,556).

HBU vs. Texas State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HBU or Texas State? 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 Texas State and HBU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Houston Christian University (1090) is the same as at Texas State (1090).
• Incoming Texas State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at HBU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houston Christian University 990/1190; Texas State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houston Christian University 17/24; Texas State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HBU - Test optional; Texas State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Texas State Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman HBU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Texas State (3.38).
• Texas State has a higher acceptance rate (89.3%) than HBU (84.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.5% at HBU vs. 26.9% at Texas State.

HBU vs. Texas State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HBU and Texas State? 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).

• Texas State University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Houston Christian University's (45%).
• Graduates from Houston Christian University earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Texas State graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,600 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas State University graduates have a $2,916 lower median loan debt than HBU graduates ($21,250 vs. $24,166).
• Among borrowers, Texas State graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HBU graduates ($219 vs. $249).
• More Texas State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HBU students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.