UH vs. UT Dallas

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Houston in Houston, TX with The University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Houston is larger than UT Dallas based on total student enrollment (47,980 students vs. 29,886 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Houston is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); The University of Texas at Dallas is in Richardson, TX (Small City setting).
• University of Houston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at Dallas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston 22:1; The University of Texas at Dallas 23:1.

UH vs. UT Dallas Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UH or UT Dallas? 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 UT Dallas ($14,309 vs. $14,916).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston are 21.8% lower than at The University of Texas at Dallas ($11,286 vs. $14,430).
• The University of Texas at Dallas is 50.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH (about $4,927 more per year; $14,644.00 vs. $9,717.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78% higher at UT Dallas than at University of Houston (about $17,597 more per year; $40,144.00 vs. $22,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Houston than at The University of Texas at Dallas (74% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Texas at Dallas students is 22.6% larger than aid received by University of Houston students ($14,909 vs. $12,159).

UH vs. UT Dallas Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Texas at Dallas (1290) is 40 points higher than at UH (1250).
• Incoming UT Dallas students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 26 at UH).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston 1160/1340; The University of Texas at Dallas 1160/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston 23/29; The University of Texas at Dallas 24/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UH - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); UT Dallas - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UH May 31, 2027; UT Dallas May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UT Dallas students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at UH (3.46).
• UH has a higher acceptance rate (73.9%) than UT Dallas (65.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.5% at UH vs. 20.3% at UT Dallas.

UH vs. UT Dallas Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UH and UT Dallas? 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).

• The University of Texas at Dallas's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than University of Houston's (46%).
• Graduates of University of Houston and UT Dallas have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $59,000), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas at Dallas graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than UH graduates ($18,750 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, UT Dallas graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UH graduates ($193 vs. $204).
• More UT Dallas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UH students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 61%)

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.