University of Houston-Downtown vs. SFASU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Houston Downtown is larger than SFASU based on total student enrollment (13,730 students vs. 10,472 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Houston Downtown is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Stephen F Austin State University is in Nacogdoches, TX (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephen F Austin State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston Downtown 18:1; Stephen F Austin State University 16:1.

University of Houston-Downtown vs. SFASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Houston-Downtown or SFASU? 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 SFASU ($10,832 vs. $14,959).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Downtown are 22.6% lower than at Stephen F Austin State University ($10,176 vs. $13,144).
• Stephen F Austin State University is 44.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $3,420 more per year; $11,128.00 vs. $7,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.5% higher at SFASU than at University of Houston Downtown (about $5,878 more per year; $23,426.00 vs. $17,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Houston Downtown than at Stephen F Austin State University (84% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stephen F Austin State University students is 4.3% larger than aid received by University of Houston Downtown students ($10,694 vs. $10,257).

University of Houston-Downtown vs. SFASU Admissions comparison

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

• University of Houston Downtown reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephen F Austin State University (1070) is 40 points higher than at University of Houston-Downtown (1030).
• Incoming SFASU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 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; Stephen F Austin State University 970/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston Downtown 16/22; Stephen F Austin State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission; SFASU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Houston-Downtown students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at SFASU (3.26).
• SFASU has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than University of Houston-Downtown (90%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20% at University of Houston-Downtown vs. 17.1% at SFASU.

University of Houston-Downtown vs. SFASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Stephen F Austin State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than University of Houston Downtown's (15%).
• Graduates from University of Houston Downtown earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than SFASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Downtown graduates have a $6,250 lower median loan debt than SFASU graduates ($18,750 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Houston-Downtown graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SFASU graduates ($193 vs. $258).
• More SFASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Houston-Downtown students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.