HBU vs. UT Austin

Comparable Facts

Compare Houston Christian University in Houston, TX with The University of Texas at Austin in Austin, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Texas at Austin is larger than HBU based on total student enrollment (53,864 students vs. 4,276 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

HBU vs. UT Austin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HBU or UT Austin? 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 The University of Texas at Austin than HBU ($17,942 vs. $21,282).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Houston Christian University are 12.8% lower than at The University of Texas at Austin ($12,928 vs. $14,828).
• Houston Christian University is 237.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UT Austin (about $27,742 more per year; $39,430.00 vs. $11,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.9% higher at UT Austin than at Houston Christian University (about $5,478 more per year; $44,908.00 vs. $39,430.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Houston Christian University than at The University of Texas at Austin (100% vs. 42%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Houston Christian University students is 111% larger than aid received by The University of Texas at Austin students ($28,870 vs. $13,681).

HBU vs. UT Austin Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HBU or UT Austin? 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 UT Austin and HBU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Texas at Austin (1380) is 290 points higher than at HBU (1090).
• Incoming UT Austin students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 20 at HBU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houston Christian University 990/1190; The University of Texas at Austin 1250/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houston Christian University 17/24; The University of Texas at Austin 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HBU - Test optional; UT Austin - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UT Austin Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UT Austin students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at HBU (3.46).
• HBU has a higher acceptance rate (84.4%) than UT Austin (26.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.5% at HBU vs. 47.4% at UT Austin.

HBU vs. UT Austin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HBU and UT Austin? 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).

• The University of Texas at Austin's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Houston Christian University's (45%).
• Graduates from The University of Texas at Austin earn a median of about $17,000 more per year than HBU graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,600 vs. $51,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas at Austin graduates have a $1,916 lower median loan debt than HBU graduates ($22,250 vs. $24,166).
• Among borrowers, UT Austin graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HBU graduates ($230 vs. $249).
• More UT Austin graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HBU students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.