UH vs. SU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Houston in Houston, TX with Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Houston is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (47,980 students vs. 1,440 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Houston is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Southwestern University is in Georgetown, TX (Distant Town setting).
• University of Houston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston 22:1; Southwestern University 11:1.

UH vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UH or SU? 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 than SU ($14,309 vs. $32,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston are 25.1% lower than at Southwestern University ($11,286 vs. $15,072).
• Southwestern University is 453.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH (about $44,096 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $9,717.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 138.7% higher at SU than at University of Houston (about $31,266 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $22,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern University than at University of Houston (99% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern University students is 189.2% larger than aid received by University of Houston students ($35,162 vs. $12,159).

UH vs. SU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UH or SU? 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 SU and UH.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston (1250) is 30 points higher than at SU (1220).
• Incoming SU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at UH).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston 1160/1340; Southwestern University 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston 23/29; Southwestern University 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UH - Test optional; SU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UH May 31, 2027; SU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at UH (3.46).
• UH has a higher acceptance rate (73.9%) than SU (43.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.5% at UH vs. 13.8% at SU.

UH vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UH and SU? 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).

• Southwestern University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than University of Houston's (46%).
• Graduates from University of Houston earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than SU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $57,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston graduates have a $7,143 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($19,750 vs. $26,893).
• Among borrowers, UH graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($204 vs. $278).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UH students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 61%)

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.