USAO vs. University of Houston-Downtown

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha, OK with University of Houston Downtown in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Houston Downtown is larger than USAO based on total student enrollment (13,730 students vs. 1,027 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is located in Chickasha, OK (Distant Town setting); University of Houston Downtown is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 13:1; University of Houston Downtown 18:1.

USAO vs. University of Houston-Downtown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USAO or University of Houston-Downtown? 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 Science and Arts of Oklahoma than University of Houston-Downtown ($8,070 vs. $10,832).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Downtown are 7% lower than at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma ($10,176 vs. $10,940).
• University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is 16.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $1,292 more per year; $9,000.00 vs. $7,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.1% higher at USAO than at University of Houston Downtown (about $2,642 more per year; $20,190.00 vs. $17,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma than at University of Houston Downtown (98% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma students is 27.4% larger than aid received by University of Houston Downtown students ($13,068 vs. $10,257).

USAO vs. University of Houston-Downtown Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USAO or University of Houston-Downtown? 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 University of Houston-Downtown and USAO.

• University of Houston Downtown reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (1190) is 160 points higher than at University of Houston-Downtown (1030).
• Incoming USAO students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at University of Houston-Downtown).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 1090/1280; University of Houston Downtown 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma 21/26; University of Houston Downtown 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USAO - Test optional; University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: USAO Sep 2, 2026; University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USAO students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at University of Houston-Downtown (3.29).
• University of Houston-Downtown has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than USAO (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.7% at USAO vs. 20% at University of Houston-Downtown.

USAO vs. University of Houston-Downtown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USAO and University of Houston-Downtown? 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 Science and Arts of Oklahoma's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than University of Houston Downtown's (15%).
• Graduates from University of Houston Downtown earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than USAO graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More USAO graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Houston-Downtown students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 41%)

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.