UC vs. UH

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH 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 UC based on total student enrollment (47,980 students vs. 45,026 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting); University of Houston is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus 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 Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1; University of Houston 22:1.

UC vs. UH Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC 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 Houston than UC ($14,309 vs. $24,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston are 16.8% lower than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus ($11,286 vs. $13,564).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is 43.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH (about $4,259 more per year; $13,976.00 vs. $9,717.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30% higher at UC than at University of Houston (about $6,763 more per year; $29,310.00 vs. $22,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Houston than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (74% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston students is 48.4% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($12,159 vs. $8,196).

UC vs. UH Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC 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 UC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (1270) is 20 points higher than at UH (1250).
• Incoming UC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at UH (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370; University of Houston 1160/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29; University of Houston 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC - Test optional; UH - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Mar 1, 2027; UH May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UC students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at UH (3.46).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than UH (73.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at UC vs. 26.5% at UH.

UC vs. UH Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC 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 Cincinnati Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than University of Houston's (46%).
• Graduates from University of Houston earn a median of about $13,400 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than UC graduates ($19,750 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, UH graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC graduates ($204 vs. $237).
• More UH graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 57%)

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.