University of Houston-Downtown vs. TSU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Houston Downtown is larger than TSU based on total student enrollment (13,730 students vs. 8,704 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

University of Houston-Downtown vs. TSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Houston-Downtown or TSU? 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 TSU ($10,832 vs. $13,584).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Downtown are 20.5% lower than at Texas Southern University ($10,176 vs. $12,800).
• Texas Southern University is 19% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $1,465 more per year; $9,173.00 vs. $7,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.4% higher at TSU than at University of Houston Downtown (about $3,925 more per year; $21,473.00 vs. $17,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Southern University than at University of Houston Downtown (95% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Downtown students is 4.4% larger than aid received by Texas Southern University students ($10,257 vs. $9,823).

University of Houston-Downtown vs. TSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Houston-Downtown or TSU? 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 TSU 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 130 points higher than at TSU (900).
• Incoming University of Houston-Downtown students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 17 at TSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston Downtown 940/1110; Texas Southern University 800/1000.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston Downtown 16/22; Texas Southern University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission; TSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027; TSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Houston-Downtown students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at TSU (3.0).
• TSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than University of Houston-Downtown (90%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20% at University of Houston-Downtown vs. 17.9% at TSU.

University of Houston-Downtown vs. TSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Houston Downtown's six-year graduation rate (15%) is higher than Texas Southern University's (12%).
• Graduates from University of Houston Downtown earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than TSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Downtown graduates have a $10,608 lower median loan debt than TSU graduates ($18,750 vs. $29,358).
• Among borrowers, University of Houston-Downtown graduates have an estimated $110 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TSU graduates ($193 vs. $303).
• More University of Houston-Downtown graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TSU students, three years after graduation. (41% vs. 22%)

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.