UH vs. SFASU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Houston in Houston, TX with Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Houston is larger than SFASU based on total student enrollment (47,980 students vs. 10,472 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Houston is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Stephen F Austin State University is in Nacogdoches, TX (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Houston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephen F Austin State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston 22:1; Stephen F Austin State University 16:1.

UH vs. SFASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UH or SFASU? 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 SFASU ($14,309 vs. $14,959).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston are 14.1% lower than at Stephen F Austin State University ($11,286 vs. $13,144).
• Stephen F Austin State University is 14.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH (about $1,411 more per year; $11,128.00 vs. $9,717.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at SFASU than at University of Houston (about $879 more per year; $23,426.00 vs. $22,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stephen F Austin State University than at University of Houston (83% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston students is 13.7% larger than aid received by Stephen F Austin State University students ($12,159 vs. $10,694).

UH vs. SFASU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston (1250) is 180 points higher than at SFASU (1070).
• Incoming UH students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at SFASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston 1160/1340; Stephen F Austin State University 970/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston 23/29; Stephen F Austin State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UH - Test optional; SFASU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UH May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UH students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at SFASU (3.26).
• SFASU has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than UH (73.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.5% at UH vs. 17.1% at SFASU.

UH vs. SFASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UH and SFASU? 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).

• University of Houston's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Stephen F Austin State University's (44%).
• Graduates from University of Houston earn a median of about $14,400 more per year than SFASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston graduates have a $5,250 lower median loan debt than SFASU graduates ($19,750 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UH graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SFASU graduates ($204 vs. $258).
• More UH graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SFASU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 52%)

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.