University of Houston-Downtown vs. SHSU

Comparable Facts

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

Sam Houston State University is larger than University of Houston-Downtown based on total student enrollment (21,039 students vs. 13,730 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Houston Downtown is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Sam Houston State University is in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sam Houston State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston Downtown 18:1; Sam Houston State University 19:1.

University of Houston-Downtown vs. SHSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Houston-Downtown or SHSU? 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 SHSU ($10,832 vs. $14,737).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Downtown are 13.2% lower than at Sam Houston State University ($10,176 vs. $11,720).
• Sam Houston State University is 19.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $1,520 more per year; $9,228.00 vs. $7,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.7% higher at SHSU than at University of Houston Downtown (about $1,520 more per year; $19,068.00 vs. $17,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Houston Downtown than at Sam Houston State University (84% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sam Houston State University students is 4% larger than aid received by University of Houston Downtown students ($10,669 vs. $10,257).

University of Houston-Downtown vs. SHSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Houston-Downtown or SHSU? 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 SHSU and University of Houston-Downtown.

• University of Houston Downtown reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston Downtown (1030) is the same as at SHSU (1030).
• Incoming SHSU 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: University of Houston Downtown 940/1110; Sam Houston State University 930/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston Downtown 16/22; Sam Houston State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission; SHSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027; SHSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Houston-Downtown students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at SHSU (3.25).
• SHSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than University of Houston-Downtown (90%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20% at University of Houston-Downtown vs. 21.1% at SHSU.

University of Houston-Downtown vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Houston-Downtown and SHSU? 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).

• Sam Houston State University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than University of Houston Downtown's (15%).
• Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn a median of about $400 more per year than University of Houston-Downtown graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Downtown graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than SHSU graduates ($18,750 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, University of Houston-Downtown graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHSU graduates ($193 vs. $222).
• More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Houston-Downtown students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.