Head to head · Texas
University of Houston costs less than Texas State University at every income band federal data covers — between $831 and $3,337 less per year, depending on what you earn.
| Household income | Texas State University | University of Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $30k | $12,715 | $10,929 | $1,786 |
| $30–48k | $13,557 | $10,220 | $3,337 |
| $48–75k | $13,804 | $12,528 | $1,276 |
| $75–110k | $20,028 | $19,197 | $831 |
| Over $110k | $24,713 | $23,811 | $902 |
Green marks the cheaper of the two at that income. "Net price" is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education — not a calculator's estimate. Public-school figures reflect in-state families; out-of-state families typically pay more.
Parent PLUS loans: the caps and the trap →
FAFSA deadlines for 2027–28, state by state →
Each year's reported net price grown 3.5% — the same method College Compass uses inside a family's plan.
Listed Texas State University first, then University of Houston. Acceptance rate is the school's overall published figure — your student's own odds depend on their transcript, scores, and high school.
Again Texas State University first. The four-year graduation rate matters more than it looks: a fifth year is a fifth year of paying.
These are averages. Your family isn't average.
Run both against your student's real GPA, your income band, and your actual high school — odds with the math shown, and what four years would really cost you, side by side. First three schools free.
Texas State University — every income band · University of Houston — every income band · All Texas public colleges