University of Houston-Downtown vs. MSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Houston Downtown in Houston, TX with Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Houston Downtown is larger than MSU based on total student enrollment (13,730 students vs. 5,324 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Houston Downtown is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Midwestern State University is in Wichita Falls, TX (Midsize City setting).
• University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Midwestern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston Downtown 18:1; Midwestern State University 18:1.

University of Houston-Downtown vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Houston-Downtown or MSU? 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 MSU ($10,832 vs. $11,215).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Downtown are 8.5% lower than at Midwestern State University ($10,176 vs. $11,124).
• Midwestern State University is 37.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $2,872 more per year; $10,580.00 vs. $7,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40% higher at University of Houston-Downtown than at Midwestern State University (about $5,018 more per year; $17,548.00 vs. $12,530.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Midwestern State University than at University of Houston Downtown (92% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Midwestern State University students is 7.6% larger than aid received by University of Houston Downtown students ($11,037 vs. $10,257).

University of Houston-Downtown vs. MSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Houston-Downtown or MSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MSU and University of Houston-Downtown.

• University of Houston Downtown reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Houston Downtown (1030) is 20 points higher than at MSU (1010).
• Incoming University of Houston-Downtown students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 19) as students at MSU (19).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Houston Downtown 940/1110; Midwestern State University 910/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Houston Downtown 16/22; Midwestern State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission; MSU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman University of Houston-Downtown students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at MSU (3.2).
• MSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than University of Houston-Downtown (90%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20% at University of Houston-Downtown vs. 12.9% at MSU.

University of Houston-Downtown vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Houston-Downtown and MSU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Midwestern State University'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 $3,100 more per year than MSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Downtown graduates have a $3,549 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($18,750 vs. $22,299).
• Among borrowers, University of Houston-Downtown graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($193 vs. $230).
• More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Houston-Downtown students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.