University of West Alabama vs. University of Houston-Downtown

Comparable Facts

Compare University of West Alabama in Livingston, AL 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 University of West Alabama based on total student enrollment (13,730 students vs. 6,820 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of West Alabama is located in Livingston, AL (Remote Rural setting); University of Houston Downtown is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• University of West Alabama is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of West Alabama 19:1; University of Houston Downtown 18:1.

University of West Alabama vs. University of Houston-Downtown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of West Alabama 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 University of West Alabama ($10,832 vs. $13,954).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 19.1% lower than at University of Houston Downtown ($8,230 vs. $10,176).
• University of West Alabama is 42.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $3,282 more per year; $10,990.00 vs. $7,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.5% higher at University of West Alabama than at University of Houston Downtown (about $2,542 more per year; $20,090.00 vs. $17,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of West Alabama than at University of Houston Downtown (93% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Downtown students is 13.5% larger than aid received by University of West Alabama students ($10,257 vs. $9,037).

University of West Alabama vs. University of Houston-Downtown Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of West Alabama 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 University of West Alabama.

• 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 University of West Alabama (990).
• Incoming University of Houston-Downtown students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at University of West Alabama).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 860/1120; University of Houston Downtown 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 16/21; University of Houston Downtown 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of West Alabama - Test optional; University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of West Alabama Aug 10, 2027; University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman University of Houston-Downtown students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at University of West Alabama (3.16).
• University of Houston-Downtown has a higher acceptance rate (90%) than University of West Alabama (42.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at University of West Alabama vs. 20% at University of Houston-Downtown.

University of West Alabama vs. University of Houston-Downtown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of West Alabama 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).

• University of West Alabama's six-year graduation rate (28%) is higher than University of Houston Downtown's (15%).
• Graduates from University of Houston Downtown earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than University of West Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $38,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Downtown graduates have a $7,739 lower median loan debt than University of West Alabama graduates ($18,750 vs. $26,489).
• Among borrowers, University of Houston-Downtown graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of West Alabama graduates ($193 vs. $273).
• More University of Houston-Downtown graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of West Alabama students, three years after graduation. (41% vs. 36%)

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.