University of Houston-Downtown vs. UT-Pan American

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is larger than University of Houston-Downtown based on total student enrollment (33,881 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 Rio Grande Valley is in Edinburg, TX (Small City setting).
• University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston Downtown 18:1; The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 20:1.

University of Houston-Downtown vs. UT-Pan American Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Houston-Downtown or UT-Pan American? 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 Rio Grande Valley than University of Houston-Downtown ($5,282 vs. $10,832).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are 4.4% lower than at University of Houston Downtown ($9,728 vs. $10,176).
• The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is 29.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $2,279 more per year; $9,987.00 vs. $7,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13% higher at UT-Pan American than at University of Houston Downtown (about $2,279 more per year; $19,827.00 vs. $17,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley than at University of Houston Downtown (93% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley students is 13.7% larger than aid received by University of Houston Downtown students ($11,663 vs. $10,257).

University of Houston-Downtown vs. UT-Pan American Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Houston-Downtown or UT-Pan American? 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-Pan American 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 40 points higher than at UT-Pan American (990).
• Incoming University of Houston-Downtown students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at UT-Pan American).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston Downtown 940/1110; The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston Downtown 16/22; The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission; UT-Pan American - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027; UT-Pan American Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Houston-Downtown students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at UT-Pan American (3.16).
• UT-Pan American has a higher acceptance rate (94.2%) than University of Houston-Downtown (90%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20% at University of Houston-Downtown vs. 40.5% at UT-Pan American.

University of Houston-Downtown vs. UT-Pan American Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Houston-Downtown and UT-Pan American? 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 Rio Grande Valley's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than University of Houston Downtown's (15%).
• Graduates from University of Houston Downtown earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than UT-Pan American graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $41,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley graduates have a $8,211 lower median loan debt than University of Houston-Downtown graduates ($10,539 vs. $18,750).
• Among borrowers, UT-Pan American graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Houston-Downtown graduates ($108 vs. $193).
• More UT-Pan American graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Houston-Downtown students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.