University of Houston-Downtown vs. UT Arlington

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Texas at Arlington is larger than University of Houston-Downtown based on total student enrollment (44,956 students vs. 13,730 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Houston Downtown is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); The University of Texas at Arlington is in Arlington, TX (Large City setting).
• University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at Arlington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston Downtown 18:1; The University of Texas at Arlington 23:1.

University of Houston-Downtown vs. UT Arlington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Houston-Downtown or UT Arlington? 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 UT Arlington ($10,832 vs. $13,755).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Downtown are 9.4% lower than at The University of Texas at Arlington ($10,176 vs. $11,228).
• The University of Texas at Arlington is 55% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $4,242 more per year; $11,950.00 vs. $7,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.6% higher at UT Arlington than at University of Houston Downtown (about $12,034 more per year; $29,582.00 vs. $17,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Texas at Arlington than at University of Houston Downtown (88% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Texas at Arlington students is 18.2% larger than aid received by University of Houston Downtown students ($12,127 vs. $10,257).

University of Houston-Downtown vs. UT Arlington Admissions comparison

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

• University of Houston Downtown reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Texas at Arlington (1130) is 100 points higher than at University of Houston-Downtown (1030).
• Incoming UT Arlington students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 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; The University of Texas at Arlington 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston Downtown 16/22; The University of Texas at Arlington 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission; UT Arlington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027; UT Arlington Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UT Arlington students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at University of Houston-Downtown (3.29).
• University of Houston-Downtown has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than UT Arlington (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20% at University of Houston-Downtown vs. 26.4% at UT Arlington.

University of Houston-Downtown vs. UT Arlington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The University of Texas at Arlington's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than University of Houston Downtown's (15%).
• Graduates from The University of Texas at Arlington earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than University of Houston-Downtown graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas at Arlington graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than University of Houston-Downtown graduates ($18,000 vs. $18,750).
• Among borrowers, UT Arlington graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Houston-Downtown graduates ($186 vs. $193).
• More UT Arlington 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.