University of Houston-Downtown vs. Nelson University

Comparable Facts

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

University of Houston Downtown is larger than Nelson University based on total student enrollment (13,730 students vs. 1,794 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Houston Downtown is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Nelson University is in Waxahachie, TX (Distant Town setting).
• University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Nelson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston Downtown 18:1; Nelson University 15:1.

University of Houston-Downtown vs. Nelson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Houston-Downtown or Nelson University? 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 Nelson University ($10,832 vs. $22,359).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nelson University are 5.7% lower than at University of Houston Downtown ($9,598 vs. $10,176).
• Nelson University is 225.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $17,356 more per year; $25,064.00 vs. $7,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.8% higher at Nelson University than at University of Houston Downtown (about $7,516 more per year; $25,064.00 vs. $17,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nelson University than at University of Houston Downtown (96% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nelson University students is 17.7% larger than aid received by University of Houston Downtown students ($12,075 vs. $10,257).

University of Houston-Downtown vs. Nelson University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Houston-Downtown or Nelson University? 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 Nelson University 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 40 points higher than at Nelson University (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston Downtown 940/1110; Nelson University 890/1090.
• 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; Nelson University - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Houston-Downtown students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at Nelson University (3.19).
• University of Houston-Downtown has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than Nelson University (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20% at University of Houston-Downtown vs. 56.8% at Nelson University.

University of Houston-Downtown vs. Nelson University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Nelson University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than University of Houston Downtown's (15%).
• Graduates from University of Houston Downtown earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than Nelson University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $36,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Downtown graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than Nelson University graduates ($18,750 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, University of Houston-Downtown graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nelson University graduates ($193 vs. $271).
• More Nelson University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Houston-Downtown students, three years after graduation. (50% 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.