University of Houston-Downtown vs. South Texas College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Houston Downtown in Houston, TX with South Texas College in McAllen, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

South Texas College is larger than University of Houston-Downtown based on total student enrollment (27,431 students vs. 13,730 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Houston Downtown is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); South Texas College is in McAllen, TX (Midsize City setting).
• University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Texas College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston Downtown 18:1; South Texas College 22:1.

University of Houston-Downtown vs. South Texas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Houston-Downtown or South Texas College? 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 South Texas College than University of Houston-Downtown ($1,844 vs. $10,832).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Texas College are 15.1% lower than at University of Houston Downtown ($8,638 vs. $10,176).
• University of Houston Downtown is 47.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Texas College (about $2,488 more per year; $7,708.00 vs. $5,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 130.3% higher at University of Houston-Downtown than at South Texas College (about $9,928 more per year; $17,548.00 vs. $7,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Texas College than at University of Houston Downtown (86% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Downtown students is 35.9% larger than aid received by South Texas College students ($10,257 vs. $7,547).

University of Houston-Downtown vs. South Texas College Admissions comparison

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

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston Downtown 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston Downtown 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission; South Texas College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027; South Texas College Jun 18, 2027.

University of Houston-Downtown vs. South Texas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Houston-Downtown and South Texas College? 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).

• Graduates from University of Houston Downtown earn a median of about $13,200 more per year than South Texas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $34,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.

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.