HBU vs. University of St Thomas

Deciding between Houston Christian University and University of St Thomas? 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
University of St Thomas

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • HBU Houston, TX
  • University of St Thomas Houston, TX
  • Setting
  • HBU Large City
  • University of St Thomas Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • HBU 4,276
  • University of St Thomas 4,301
  • Type
  • HBU Private 4 Year
  • University of St Thomas Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • HBU #837
  • University of St Thomas #613
  • Religious Affiliation
  • HBU Southern Baptist
  • University of St Thomas Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • HBU Non-profit
  • University of St Thomas Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • HBU
  • University of St Thomas
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • HBU $39,430
  • University of St Thomas $34,634
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • HBU $39,430
  • University of St Thomas $34,634
  • Room & Board
  • HBU $12,928
  • University of St Thomas $10,840
  • Average Net Price
  • HBU $21,282
  • University of St Thomas $20,599
  • Average Grant Aid
  • HBU $28,870
  • University of St Thomas $24,902
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • HBU 100%
  • University of St Thomas 93%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • HBU 8,455
  • University of St Thomas 2,878
  • Admitted
  • HBU 7,139
  • University of St Thomas 2,588
  • Acceptance Rate
  • HBU 84.4%
  • University of St Thomas 89.9%
  • Enrolled
  • HBU 10.5%
  • University of St Thomas 29.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • HBU 1090
  • University of St Thomas 1100
  • Typical ACT score
  • HBU 20
  • University of St Thomas 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • HBU 3.46
  • University of St Thomas 3.53
  • Typical High School Grades
  • HBU B+
  • University of St Thomas A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • HBU Easy
  • University of St Thomas Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • HBU
  • University of St Thomas
  • ACT Range
  • HBU 17/24
  • University of St Thomas 18/25
  • SAT Range
  • HBU 990/1190
  • University of St Thomas 980/1210
  • Submit Test Scores
  • HBU Test optional
  • University of St Thomas Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • HBU
  • University of St Thomas Aug 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • HBU 18:1
  • University of St Thomas 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • HBU
    • Business (21%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
  • University of St Thomas
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Psychology (9%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • HBU 45%
  • University of St Thomas 44%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • HBU $51,600
  • University of St Thomas $57,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • HBU 54%
  • University of St Thomas 59%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • HBU $24,166
  • University of St Thomas $22,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • HBU $249
  • University of St Thomas $227
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • HBU 36%
  • University of St Thomas 43%
  • % Women
  • HBU 64%
  • University of St Thomas 57%
  • Racial Diversity
  • HBU Very High
  • University of St Thomas Very High
  • HBCU
  • HBU No
  • University of St Thomas No
  • % White
  • HBU 27%
  • University of St Thomas 28%
  • % Asian
  • HBU 10%
  • University of St Thomas 12%
  • % Black
  • HBU 19%
  • University of St Thomas 7%
  • % Hispanic
  • HBU 30%
  • University of St Thomas 40%
  • % Native American
  • HBU 0%
  • University of St Thomas 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • HBU 0%
  • University of St Thomas 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • HBU 5%
  • University of St Thomas 2%
  • % International
  • HBU 4%
  • University of St Thomas 10%
  • % Unknown Race
  • HBU 4%
  • University of St Thomas 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • HBU 91%
  • University of St Thomas 96%
  • % Out-of-State
  • HBU 6%
  • University of St Thomas 3%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • HBU Yes
  • University of St Thomas Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • HBU No
  • University of St Thomas No
  • Meal Plan
  • HBU Yes
  • University of St Thomas Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • HBU No
  • University of St Thomas Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • HBU No
  • University of St Thomas No

Comparable Facts

Compare Houston Christian University in Houston, TX with University of St Thomas in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of St Thomas is larger than HBU based on total student enrollment (4,301 students vs. 4,276 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Houston Christian University is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); University of St Thomas is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
  • Houston Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of St Thomas is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Houston Christian University 18:1; University of St Thomas 16:1.

HBU vs. University of St Thomas Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HBU or University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas than HBU ($20,599 vs. $21,282).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of St Thomas are 16.2% lower than at Houston Christian University ($10,840 vs. $12,928).
  • Houston Christian University is 13.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of St Thomas (about $4,796 more per year; $39,430.00 vs. $34,634.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 13.8% higher at HBU than at University of St Thomas (about $4,796 more per year; $39,430.00 vs. $34,634.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Houston Christian University than at University of St Thomas (100% vs. 93%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Houston Christian University students is 15.9% larger than aid received by University of St Thomas students ($28,870 vs. $24,902).

HBU vs. University of St Thomas Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HBU or University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas and HBU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of St Thomas (1100) is 10 points higher than at HBU (1090).
  • Incoming University of St Thomas students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at HBU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houston Christian University 990/1190; University of St Thomas 980/1210.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houston Christian University 17/24; University of St Thomas 18/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HBU - Test optional; University of St Thomas - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of St Thomas Aug 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of St Thomas students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at HBU (3.46).
  • University of St Thomas has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than HBU (84.4%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.5% at HBU vs. 29.7% at University of St Thomas.

HBU vs. University of St Thomas Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HBU and University of St Thomas? 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 University of St Thomas's (44%).
  • Graduates from University of St Thomas earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than HBU graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $51,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of St Thomas graduates have a $2,166 lower median loan debt than HBU graduates ($22,000 vs. $24,166).
  • Among borrowers, University of St Thomas graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HBU graduates ($227 vs. $249).
  • More University of St Thomas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HBU students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.