ATU vs. University of Houston-Downtown

Comparable Facts

Compare Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR 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 ATU based on total student enrollment (13,730 students vs. 8,746 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arkansas Tech University is located in Russellville, AR (Remote Town setting); University of Houston Downtown is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Arkansas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arkansas Tech University 17:1; University of Houston Downtown 18:1.

ATU vs. University of Houston-Downtown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ATU 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 Houston Downtown than ATU ($10,832 vs. $12,626).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Downtown are 1.6% lower than at Arkansas Tech University ($10,176 vs. $10,338).
• Arkansas Tech University is 12.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $966 more per year; $8,674.00 vs. $7,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.6% higher at University of Houston-Downtown than at Arkansas Tech University (about $2,880 more per year; $17,548.00 vs. $14,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arkansas Tech University than at University of Houston Downtown (93% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Downtown students is 3.6% larger than aid received by Arkansas Tech University students ($10,257 vs. $9,901).

ATU vs. University of Houston-Downtown Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ATU 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 ATU.

• University of Houston Downtown reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston Downtown (1030) is 40 points higher than at ATU (990).
• Incoming ATU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at University of Houston-Downtown).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 880/1100; University of Houston Downtown 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arkansas Tech University 17/23; University of Houston Downtown 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ATU - Required; University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ATU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at University of Houston-Downtown (3.29).
• ATU has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than University of Houston-Downtown (90%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.6% at ATU vs. 20% at University of Houston-Downtown.

ATU vs. University of Houston-Downtown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ATU 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).

• Arkansas Tech University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than University of Houston Downtown's (15%).
• Graduates from University of Houston Downtown earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than ATU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Arkansas Tech University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than University of Houston-Downtown graduates ($17,750 vs. $18,750).
• Among borrowers, ATU graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Houston-Downtown graduates ($183 vs. $193).
• More ATU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Houston-Downtown students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.