UH vs. TLU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Houston is larger than TLU based on total student enrollment (47,980 students vs. 1,423 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UH vs. TLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UH or TLU? 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 TLU ($14,309 vs. $25,119).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston are 8.6% lower than at Texas Lutheran University ($11,286 vs. $12,350).
• Texas Lutheran University is 272.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH (about $26,513 more per year; $36,230.00 vs. $9,717.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.7% higher at TLU than at University of Houston (about $13,683 more per year; $36,230.00 vs. $22,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Lutheran University than at University of Houston (100% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Lutheran University students is 104.5% larger than aid received by University of Houston students ($24,861 vs. $12,159).

UH vs. TLU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston (1250) is 120 points higher than at TLU (1130).
• Incoming UH students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at TLU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston 1160/1340; Texas Lutheran University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston 23/29; Texas Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UH - Test optional; TLU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UH May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TLU students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at UH (3.46).
• TLU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than UH (73.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.5% at UH vs. 16.8% at TLU.

UH vs. TLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UH and TLU? 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 Lutheran University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than University of Houston's (46%).
• Graduates from University of Houston earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than TLU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $49,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than TLU graduates ($19,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UH graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TLU graduates ($204 vs. $279).
• More TLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UH students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.