UH vs. Texas State

Comparable Facts

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

University of Houston is larger than Texas State based on total student enrollment (47,980 students vs. 40,674 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Houston is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Texas State University is in San Marcos, TX (Distant Town setting).
• University of Houston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston 22:1; Texas State University 21:1.

UH vs. Texas State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UH or Texas State? 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 Texas State ($14,309 vs. $15,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston are 10.6% lower than at Texas State University ($11,286 vs. $12,630).
• Texas State University is 17.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH (about $1,733 more per year; $11,450.00 vs. $9,717.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at Texas State than at University of Houston (about $383 more per year; $22,930.00 vs. $22,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas State University than at University of Houston (76% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas State University students is 3.3% larger than aid received by University of Houston students ($12,556 vs. $12,159).

UH vs. Texas State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston (1250) is 160 points higher than at Texas State (1090).
• Incoming UH students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at Texas State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston 1160/1340; Texas State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston 23/29; Texas State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UH - Test optional; Texas State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UH May 31, 2027; Texas State Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UH students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Texas State (3.38).
• Texas State has a higher acceptance rate (89.3%) than UH (73.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.5% at UH vs. 26.9% at Texas State.

UH vs. Texas State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UH and Texas State? 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 State University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than University of Houston's (46%).
• Graduates from University of Houston earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than Texas State graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Texas State graduates ($19,750 vs. $21,250).
• Among borrowers, UH graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Texas State graduates ($204 vs. $219).
• More UH graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Texas State students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 55%)

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.