Houston vs Toledo - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Houston admits 73.9% of applicants, while Toledo admits 92%.
The cheaper tuition belongs to Toledo: $20,164 against $27,926, or $7,762 less a year.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Houston: $62K against $51K.
The SAT profile is practically identical (1240 against 1235), so a test score will not tip the balance either way.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Houston is the more selective of the two (73.92% vs 92% acceptance). Houston ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #601-700). Houston graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($62K vs $51K). Toledo has lower sticker-price tuition ($20,164 vs $27,926 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Houston for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Toledo for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Houston is more selective (73.92% vs 92% acceptance); Houston has a higher median SAT (1240 vs 1235).
Houston graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($62K vs $51K); Houston has a higher 6-year graduation rate (64.6% vs 57%).
Toledo has lower sticker-price tuition ($20,164 vs $27,926); Houston offers a larger average aid package ($16,450 vs $14,444).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Houston | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #601-700 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 73.92% | 92% |
| Yield rate | 26.5% | 18.8% |
| Median SAT | 1240 | 1235 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.49 | - |
| Number of applications | 31,716 | 11,067 |
| International students | 5.7% | 8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $51K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $31K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $77K |
| Graduation rate | 64.6% | 57% |
| Retention rate | 87% | 77.3% |
| Median debt | $18,194 | $22,250 |
| Tuition · year | $27,926 | $20,164 |
| Avg. aid package | $16,450 | $14,444 |
| % of need met | 55.1% | 61% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,819 | $23,487 |
| Application fee | $75 | $40 |
| Enrollment | 47,980 | 14,358 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Houston or Toledo?
It's harder to get into Houston. Houston accepts 73.92% of applicants, while Toledo accepts 92%.
Do Houston or Toledo graduates earn more?
Houston graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $62K vs $51K.
How much is tuition at Houston vs Toledo?
Sticker-price tuition is $27,926 per year at Houston and $20,164 per year at Toledo.
What SAT score do you need for Houston or Toledo?
The median admitted SAT score is 1240 at Houston and 1235 at Toledo; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Houston or Toledo?
Houston ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Houston vs #601-700 for Toledo.
Which university offers more financial aid - Houston or Toledo?
The average aid package is $16,450 at Houston and $14,444 at Toledo.
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