Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. University of Houston-Downtown

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (13,730 students vs. 4,732 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is located in Magnolia, AR (Remote Town setting); University of Houston Downtown is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; University of Houston Downtown 18:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. University of Houston-Downtown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($10,832 vs. $13,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 22.3% lower than at University of Houston Downtown ($7,911 vs. $10,176).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 29.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $2,252 more per year; $9,960.00 vs. $7,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.8% higher at University of Houston-Downtown than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $1,858 more per year; $17,548.00 vs. $15,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at University of Houston Downtown (99% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 12.6% larger than aid received by University of Houston Downtown students ($11,552 vs. $10,257).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. University of Houston-Downtown Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

• 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990).
• Incoming Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at University of Houston-Downtown).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105; University of Houston Downtown 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24; University of Houston Downtown 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027; University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at University of Houston-Downtown (3.29).
• University of Houston-Downtown has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. 20% at University of Houston-Downtown.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. University of Houston-Downtown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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).

• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (34%) is higher than University of Houston Downtown's (15%).
• Graduates from University of Houston Downtown earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $1,730 lower median loan debt than University of Houston-Downtown graduates ($17,020 vs. $18,750).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Houston-Downtown graduates ($175 vs. $193).
• More Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Houston-Downtown students, three years after graduation. (44% 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.