Alabama State vs. TSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL with Texas Southern University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas Southern University is larger than Alabama State based on total student enrollment (8,704 students vs. 4,081 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alabama State University is located in Montgomery, AL (Midsize City setting); Texas Southern University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Alabama State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Southern University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alabama State University 15:1; Texas Southern University 19:1.

Alabama State vs. TSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama State or TSU? 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 Alabama State University than TSU ($13,138 vs. $13,584).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alabama State University are 38.9% lower than at Texas Southern University ($7,816 vs. $12,800).
• Alabama State University is 22.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than TSU (about $2,075 more per year; $11,248.00 vs. $9,173.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.7% higher at TSU than at Alabama State University (about $1,897 more per year; $21,473.00 vs. $19,576.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Southern University than at Alabama State University (95% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alabama State University students is 17.9% larger than aid received by Texas Southern University students ($11,583 vs. $9,823).

Alabama State vs. TSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alabama State or TSU? 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 TSU and Alabama State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas Southern University (900) is 40 points higher than at Alabama State (860).
• Incoming Alabama State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 17) as students at TSU (17).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama State University 749/967; Texas Southern University 800/1000.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama State University 15/20; Texas Southern University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama State - Test optional; TSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama State Jul 31, 2027; TSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TSU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.0) than students at Alabama State (2.95).
• Alabama State has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than TSU (96.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at Alabama State vs. 17.9% at TSU.

Alabama State vs. TSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama State and TSU? 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).

• Alabama State University's six-year graduation rate (26%) is higher than Texas Southern University's (12%).
• Graduates from Texas Southern University earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Alabama State graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,200 vs. $29,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas Southern University graduates have a $2,733 lower median loan debt than Alabama State graduates ($29,358 vs. $32,091).
• Among borrowers, TSU graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama State graduates ($303 vs. $331).
• More TSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama State students, three years after graduation. (22% vs. 20%)

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.