UH vs. UIW

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Houston in Houston, TX with University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Houston is larger than UIW based on total student enrollment (47,980 students vs. 7,047 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Houston is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); University of the Incarnate Word is in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting).
• University of Houston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of the Incarnate Word is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston 22:1; University of the Incarnate Word 12:1.

UH vs. UIW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UH or UIW? 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 UIW ($14,309 vs. $23,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston are 21.1% lower than at University of the Incarnate Word ($11,286 vs. $14,296).
• University of the Incarnate Word is 281.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH (about $27,373 more per year; $37,090.00 vs. $9,717.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.5% higher at UIW than at University of Houston (about $14,543 more per year; $37,090.00 vs. $22,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Incarnate Word than at University of Houston (100% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of the Incarnate Word students is 108.5% larger than aid received by University of Houston students ($25,354 vs. $12,159).

UH vs. UIW Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston (1250) is 230 points higher than at UIW (1020).
• Incoming UH students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 20 at UIW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston 1160/1340; University of the Incarnate Word 900/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston 23/29; University of the Incarnate Word 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UH - Test optional; UIW - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UH May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UIW students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at UH (3.46).
• UIW has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than UH (73.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.5% at UH vs. 9.1% at UIW.

UH vs. UIW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UH and UIW? 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 Houston's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than University of the Incarnate Word's (43%).
• Graduates from University of Houston earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than UIW graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $49,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston graduates have a $7,429 lower median loan debt than UIW graduates ($19,750 vs. $27,179).
• Among borrowers, UH graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UIW graduates ($204 vs. $281).
• More UH graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIW students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 48%)

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.