UH vs. St. Mary's University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Houston in Houston, TX with St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Houston is larger than St. Mary's University based on total student enrollment (47,980 students vs. 3,456 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Houston is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); St. Mary's University is in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting).
• University of Houston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. St. Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston 22:1; St. Mary's University 11:1.

UH vs. St. Mary's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UH or St. Mary's University? 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 St. Mary's University ($14,309 vs. $20,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston are 12.5% lower than at St. Mary's University ($11,286 vs. $12,894).
• St. Mary's University is 285.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH (about $27,717 more per year; $37,434.00 vs. $9,717.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66% higher at St. Mary's University than at University of Houston (about $14,887 more per year; $37,434.00 vs. $22,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. Mary's University than at University of Houston (100% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. Mary's University students is 125.9% larger than aid received by University of Houston students ($27,464 vs. $12,159).

UH vs. St. Mary's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UH or St. Mary's University? 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 St. Mary's University and UH.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston (1250) is 140 points higher than at St. Mary's University (1110).
• Incoming UH students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at St. Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston 1160/1340; St. Mary's University 900/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston 23/29; St. Mary's University 15/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UH - Test optional; St. Mary's University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UH May 31, 2027; St. Mary's University Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman St. Mary's University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at UH (3.46).
• St. Mary's University has a higher acceptance rate (97.8%) than UH (73.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.5% at UH vs. 12.6% at St. Mary's University.

UH vs. St. Mary's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UH and St. Mary's University? 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).

• St. Mary's University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than University of Houston's (46%).
• Graduates from University of Houston earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than St. Mary's University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's University graduates ($19,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UH graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's University graduates ($204 vs. $279).
• More UH graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Mary's University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 59%)

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.