UTEP vs. TSU

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Texas at El Paso is larger than TSU based on total student enrollment (25,039 students vs. 8,704 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Texas at El Paso is located in El Paso, TX (Large City setting); Texas Southern University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• The University of Texas at El Paso is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Southern University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Texas at El Paso 21:1; Texas Southern University 19:1.

UTEP vs. TSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UTEP or TSU? 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 El Paso than TSU ($9,305 vs. $13,584).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at El Paso are 15.1% lower than at Texas Southern University ($10,864 vs. $12,800).
• The University of Texas at El Paso is 6.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than TSU (about $571 more per year; $9,744.00 vs. $9,173.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.8% higher at UTEP than at Texas Southern University (about $4,029 more per year; $25,502.00 vs. $21,473.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Southern University than at The University of Texas at El Paso (95% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Texas at El Paso students is 7.6% larger than aid received by Texas Southern University students ($10,571 vs. $9,823).

UTEP vs. TSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UTEP or TSU? 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 TSU and UTEP.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Texas at El Paso (970) is 70 points higher than at TSU (900).
• Incoming UTEP students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 17 at TSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Texas at El Paso 860/1080; Texas Southern University 800/1000.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Texas at El Paso 17/22; Texas Southern University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UTEP - Test optional; TSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTEP May 1, 2027; TSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTEP students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at TSU (3.0).
• UTEP has a higher acceptance rate (99.9%) than TSU (96.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UTEP vs. 17.9% at TSU.

UTEP vs. TSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UTEP and TSU? 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 El Paso's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Texas Southern University's (12%).
• Graduates from The University of Texas at El Paso earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than TSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,200 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas at El Paso graduates have a $12,108 lower median loan debt than TSU graduates ($17,250 vs. $29,358).
• Among borrowers, UTEP graduates have an estimated $125 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TSU graduates ($178 vs. $303).
• More UTEP graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TSU students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 22%)

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.