ULM vs. UH

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Louisiana at Monroe in Monroe, LA with University of Houston in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Houston is larger than ULM based on total student enrollment (47,980 students vs. 8,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Louisiana at Monroe is located in Monroe, LA (Small City setting); University of Houston is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• University of Louisiana at Monroe is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Louisiana at Monroe 18:1; University of Houston 22:1.

ULM vs. UH Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ULM or UH? 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 Louisiana at Monroe than UH ($13,648 vs. $14,309).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Louisiana at Monroe are 6.5% lower than at University of Houston ($10,554 vs. $11,286).
• University of Houston is 5.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ULM (about $527 more per year; $9,717.00 vs. $9,190.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.9% higher at UH than at University of Louisiana at Monroe (about $1,257 more per year; $22,547.00 vs. $21,290.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisiana at Monroe than at University of Houston (95% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisiana at Monroe students is 9.7% larger than aid received by University of Houston students ($13,338 vs. $12,159).

ULM vs. UH Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Louisiana at Monroe (1260) is 10 points higher than at UH (1250).
• Incoming UH students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at ULM).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Monroe 1160/1360; University of Houston 1160/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Louisiana at Monroe 18/24; University of Houston 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ULM - Test optional; UH - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UH May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ULM students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at UH (3.46).
• ULM has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than UH (73.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.1% at ULM vs. 26.5% at UH.

ULM vs. UH Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ULM and UH? 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 University of Louisiana at Monroe's (33%).
• Graduates from University of Houston earn a median of about $13,200 more per year than ULM graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than ULM graduates ($19,750 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, UH graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ULM graduates ($204 vs. $206).
• More UH graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ULM students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 49%)

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.