University of Houston-Downtown vs. Tarleton

Comparable Facts

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

Tarleton State University is larger than University of Houston-Downtown based on total student enrollment (17,433 students vs. 13,730 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Houston Downtown is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Tarleton State University is in Stephenville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tarleton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston Downtown 18:1; Tarleton State University 20:1.

University of Houston-Downtown vs. Tarleton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Houston-Downtown or Tarleton? 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 Tarleton ($10,832 vs. $16,159).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Downtown are 6.8% lower than at Tarleton State University ($10,176 vs. $10,920).
• Tarleton State University is 7.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $594 more per year; $8,302.00 vs. $7,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.4% higher at Tarleton than at University of Houston Downtown (about $594 more per year; $18,142.00 vs. $17,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tarleton State University than at University of Houston Downtown (91% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Downtown students is 29.4% larger than aid received by Tarleton State University students ($10,257 vs. $7,929).

University of Houston-Downtown vs. Tarleton Admissions comparison

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

• University of Houston Downtown reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tarleton State University (1070) is 40 points higher than at University of Houston-Downtown (1030).
• Incoming Tarleton 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; Tarleton State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston Downtown 16/22; Tarleton State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission; Tarleton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027; Tarleton Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Houston-Downtown students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at Tarleton (3.21).
• University of Houston-Downtown has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than Tarleton (89.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20% at University of Houston-Downtown vs. 24.3% at Tarleton.

University of Houston-Downtown vs. Tarleton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Tarleton State University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than University of Houston Downtown's (15%).
• Graduates from University of Houston Downtown earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Tarleton graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $45,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Downtown graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Tarleton graduates ($18,750 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, University of Houston-Downtown graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tarleton graduates ($193 vs. $204).
• More Tarleton 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.