University of Houston-Downtown vs. UMHB

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Houston Downtown in Houston, TX with University of Mary Hardin Baylor in Belton, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Houston Downtown is larger than UMHB based on total student enrollment (13,730 students vs. 3,321 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Houston Downtown is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); University of Mary Hardin Baylor is in Belton, TX (Small Suburban setting).
• University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary Hardin Baylor is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston Downtown 18:1; University of Mary Hardin Baylor 17:1.

University of Houston-Downtown vs. UMHB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Houston-Downtown or UMHB? 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 UMHB ($10,832 vs. $27,651).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Downtown are 23% lower than at University of Mary Hardin Baylor ($10,176 vs. $13,224).
• University of Mary Hardin Baylor is 315.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $24,312 more per year; $32,020.00 vs. $7,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.5% higher at UMHB than at University of Houston Downtown (about $14,472 more per year; $32,020.00 vs. $17,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Hardin Baylor than at University of Houston Downtown (99% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Mary Hardin Baylor students is 88.4% larger than aid received by University of Houston Downtown students ($19,320 vs. $10,257).

University of Houston-Downtown vs. UMHB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Houston-Downtown or UMHB? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UMHB and University of Houston-Downtown.

• University of Houston Downtown reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Mary Hardin Baylor (1080) is 50 points higher than at University of Houston-Downtown (1030).
• Incoming UMHB students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 19 at University of Houston-Downtown).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Houston Downtown 940/1110; University of Mary Hardin Baylor 960/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Houston Downtown 16/22; University of Mary Hardin Baylor 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission; UMHB - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UMHB students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at University of Houston-Downtown (3.29).
• UMHB has a higher acceptance rate (95.8%) than University of Houston-Downtown (90%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20% at University of Houston-Downtown vs. 5.5% at UMHB.

University of Houston-Downtown vs. UMHB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Houston-Downtown and UMHB? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Mary Hardin Baylor's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than University of Houston Downtown's (15%).
• Graduates from University of Houston Downtown earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than UMHB graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Downtown graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than UMHB graduates ($18,750 vs. $26,750).
• Among borrowers, University of Houston-Downtown graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMHB graduates ($193 vs. $276).
• More UMHB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Houston-Downtown students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.