University of Houston-Downtown vs. UTEP

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Texas at El Paso is larger than University of Houston-Downtown based on total student enrollment (25,039 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 El Paso is in El Paso, TX (Large City setting).
• University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at El Paso is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston Downtown 18:1; The University of Texas at El Paso 21:1.

University of Houston-Downtown vs. UTEP Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Houston-Downtown or UTEP? 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 The University of Texas at El Paso than University of Houston-Downtown ($9,305 vs. $10,832).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Downtown are 6.3% lower than at The University of Texas at El Paso ($10,176 vs. $10,864).
• The University of Texas at El Paso is 26.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $2,036 more per year; $9,744.00 vs. $7,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.3% higher at UTEP than at University of Houston Downtown (about $7,954 more per year; $25,502.00 vs. $17,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Houston Downtown than at The University of Texas at El Paso (84% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Texas at El Paso students is 3.1% larger than aid received by University of Houston Downtown students ($10,571 vs. $10,257).

University of Houston-Downtown vs. UTEP Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Houston-Downtown or UTEP? 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 UTEP 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 60 points higher than at UTEP (970).
• Incoming University of Houston-Downtown students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 19) as students at UTEP (19).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston Downtown 940/1110; The University of Texas at El Paso 860/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston Downtown 16/22; The University of Texas at El Paso 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission; UTEP - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027; UTEP May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTEP students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at University of Houston-Downtown (3.29).
• UTEP has a higher acceptance rate (99.9%) than University of Houston-Downtown (90%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20% at University of Houston-Downtown vs. 33.5% at UTEP.

University of Houston-Downtown vs. UTEP Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Houston-Downtown and UTEP? 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 El Paso'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 $5,200 more per year than UTEP graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas at El Paso graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than University of Houston-Downtown graduates ($17,250 vs. $18,750).
• Among borrowers, UTEP graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Houston-Downtown graduates ($178 vs. $193).
• More UTEP graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Houston-Downtown students, three years after graduation. (45% 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.