UH vs. TCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Houston in Houston, TX with Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Houston is larger than TCU based on total student enrollment (47,980 students vs. 12,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Houston is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Texas Christian University is in Fort Worth, TX (Large City setting).
• University of Houston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston 22:1; Texas Christian University 14:1.

UH vs. TCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UH or TCU? 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 TCU ($14,309 vs. $41,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston are 32.4% lower than at Texas Christian University ($11,286 vs. $16,700).
• Texas Christian University is 535.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH (about $52,023 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $9,717.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 173.8% higher at TCU than at University of Houston (about $39,193 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $22,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Christian University than at University of Houston (80% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Christian University students is 187.6% larger than aid received by University of Houston students ($34,975 vs. $12,159).

UH vs. TCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston (1250) is the same as at TCU (1250).
• Incoming TCU 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; Texas Christian University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston 23/29; Texas Christian University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UH - Test optional; TCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UH May 31, 2027; TCU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TCU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at UH (3.46).
• UH has a higher acceptance rate (73.9%) than TCU (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.5% at UH vs. 24.7% at TCU.

UH vs. TCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UH and TCU? 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).

• Texas Christian University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than University of Houston's (46%).
• Graduates from University of Houston earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than TCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $57,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than TCU graduates ($19,750 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UH graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TCU graduates ($204 vs. $222).
• More TCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UH students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.