Southwest Minnesota State University vs. University of Houston-Downtown

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN 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 Southwest Minnesota State University based on total student enrollment (13,730 students vs. 8,214 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwest Minnesota State University is located in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting); University of Houston Downtown is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1; University of Houston Downtown 18:1.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. University of Houston-Downtown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwest Minnesota State University 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 Southwest Minnesota State University ($10,832 vs. $15,547).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Downtown are 7.7% lower than at Southwest Minnesota State University ($10,176 vs. $11,028).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is 34.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $2,653 more per year; $10,361.00 vs. $7,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.4% higher at University of Houston-Downtown than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $7,187 more per year; $17,548.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than at University of Houston Downtown (94% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Downtown students is 18.2% larger than aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students ($10,257 vs. $8,674).

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. University of Houston-Downtown Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southwest Minnesota State University 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 Southwest Minnesota State University.

• University of Houston Downtown reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston Downtown (1030) is 10 points higher than at Southwest Minnesota State University (1020).
• Incoming Southwest Minnesota State University 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: Southwest Minnesota State University 935/1102; University of Houston Downtown 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23; University of Houston Downtown 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional; University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027; University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Houston-Downtown students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).
• University of Houston-Downtown has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University vs. 20% at University of Houston-Downtown.

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. University of Houston-Downtown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southwest Minnesota State University 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).

• Southwest Minnesota State University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than University of Houston Downtown's (15%).
• Graduates from University of Houston Downtown earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Downtown graduates have a $2,928 lower median loan debt than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates ($18,750 vs. $21,678).
• Among borrowers, University of Houston-Downtown graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates ($193 vs. $224).
• More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Houston-Downtown students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.