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University of Houston-Downtown vs University of North Texas

University of Houston-Downtown offers easier admission with an 88.42% acceptance rate compared to UNT's 79.13%, making UHD more accessible for students with lower test scores or GPAs. However, this accessibility comes with trade-offs in outcomes.

Cost-wise, UHD provides better value for in-state students at $7,708 versus UNT's $11,164. Both schools have similar average net prices around $14,400, but UHD graduates carry slightly less debt ($18,750 vs $19,250). UNT students earn $3,459 more annually ten years after graduation ($57,010 vs $53,551), potentially offsetting the higher upfront costs.

UNT significantly outperforms UHD in retention and graduation metrics. UNT's 76.96% retention rate and 59.60% six-year graduation rate substantially exceed UHD's 67.41% and 33.80% respectively. This suggests stronger academic support and student engagement at UNT.

Campus experience differs markedly between these institutions. UNT offers a traditional college atmosphere with NCAA Division I athletics and a larger student body of 33,680. UHD serves 12,812 students in an urban setting without major athletics programs. UNT's student-faculty ratio of 23:1 is higher than UHD's 18:1, meaning less individual attention despite better overall outcomes.

Both schools excel in serving Texas students but cater to different populations. UHD specializes in serving working adults and commuter students in Houston's urban environment, while UNT provides comprehensive programs including strong arts and business schools.

Students seeking affordability and flexible scheduling in an urban setting should consider UHD, while those wanting traditional campus life with stronger graduation outcomes should choose UNT.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Top programs comparison
University of Houston-Downtown University of North Texas
Acceptance Rate 88.4% 79.1%
SAT Average 1,030 1,120
Enrollment 12,812 33,680
In-State Tuition $7,708 $11,164
Out-of-State Tuition $17,788 $21,244
Net Price $14,623 $14,352
Graduation Rate (6-year) 33.8% 59.6%
Retention Rate 67.4% 77.0%
Median Earnings (10yr) $53,551 $57,010
Median Debt $18,750 $19,250

Top Programs by Earnings

Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.

Top programs comparison
University of Houston-Downtown University of North Texas
Program Earnings Program Earnings
Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians. $69,338 Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. $72,762
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians. $58,673 Computer Engineering. $70,680
Computer and Information Sciences, General. $57,318 Construction Engineering Technologies. $69,338
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians. $57,318 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. $68,219
Business Administration, Management and Operations. $50,082 Materials Engineering $63,997