University of Houston-Downtown vs. UTSA

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Texas at San Antonio is larger than University of Houston-Downtown based on total student enrollment (35,770 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 San Antonio is in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting).
• University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at San Antonio is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston Downtown 18:1; The University of Texas at San Antonio 24:1.

University of Houston-Downtown vs. UTSA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Houston-Downtown or UTSA? 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 UTSA ($10,832 vs. $10,959).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Downtown are 31.8% lower than at The University of Texas at San Antonio ($10,176 vs. $14,912).
• The University of Texas at San Antonio is 16.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $1,303 more per year; $9,011.00 vs. $7,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.7% higher at UTSA than at University of Houston Downtown (about $4,503 more per year; $22,051.00 vs. $17,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Houston Downtown than at The University of Texas at San Antonio (84% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Texas at San Antonio students is 10.5% larger than aid received by University of Houston Downtown students ($11,332 vs. $10,257).

University of Houston-Downtown vs. UTSA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Houston-Downtown or UTSA? 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 UTSA 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 San Antonio (1110) is 80 points higher than at University of Houston-Downtown (1030).
• Incoming UTSA students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 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 San Antonio 1000/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston Downtown 16/22; The University of Texas at San Antonio 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission; UTSA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027; UTSA Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTSA students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at University of Houston-Downtown (3.29).
• University of Houston-Downtown has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than UTSA (86.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20% at University of Houston-Downtown vs. 27.1% at UTSA.

University of Houston-Downtown vs. UTSA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Houston-Downtown and UTSA? 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 San Antonio's six-year graduation rate (27%) is higher than University of Houston Downtown's (15%).
• Graduates from The University of Texas at San Antonio earn a median of about $500 more per year than University of Houston-Downtown graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,900 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Downtown graduates have a $4,233 lower median loan debt than UTSA graduates ($18,750 vs. $22,983).
• Among borrowers, University of Houston-Downtown graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UTSA graduates ($193 vs. $237).
• More UTSA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Houston-Downtown students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.