More selective than 35% of Texas colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
43% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 4% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose University of Houston-Downtown over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What University of Houston-Downtown weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as University of Houston-Downtown reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Class rank
- High school GPA
- SAT/ACT scores
- Rigor of high school courses
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Interview
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- First-generation college student
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Where you live
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Your demonstrated interest
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
High school GPA of University of Houston-Downtown first-year students
Share of fall 2025 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.33. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
100% of first-year students reported a high school GPA.
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
University of Houston-Downtown SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, University of Houston-Downtown is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 480 | 560 |
| SAT math | 460 | 550 |
| ACT composite | 16 | 22 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 940 | 1110 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
University of Houston-Downtown admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 90% | 480–560 | 460–550 | 16–22 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 91% | 490–560 | 470–550 | 17–23 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is University of Houston-Downtown compared with other Texas colleges?
University of Houston-Downtown has the 46th-lowest acceptance rate of 70 Texas colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | Nelson University | 89% | 42% | $21,662 |
| 43 | Texas State University | 89% | 55% | $16,805 |
| 44 | Tarleton State University | 90% | 48% | $20,783 |
| 45 | University of St Thomas | 90% | 69% | $19,359 |
| 46 | University of Houston-Downtown | 90% | 33% | $10,542 |
| 47 | Hardin-Simmons University | 90% | 46% | $19,555 |
| 48 | Sam Houston State University | 90% | 55% | $16,404 |
| 49 | University of Houston-Clear Lake | 91% | 52% | $15,563 |
| 50 | Texas A&M University-Kingsville | 91% | 42% | $12,090 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Texas colleges →
Who enrolls at University of Houston-Downtown
College Scorecard; IPEDS
University of Houston-Downtown admissions questions
What is the University of Houston-Downtown acceptance rate?
University of Houston-Downtown accepts 90% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 6,302 of 6,953 applicants were admitted.
Does University of Houston-Downtown require the SAT or ACT?
University of Houston-Downtown considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 43% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 4% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for University of Houston-Downtown?
The middle 50% of University of Houston-Downtown enrolled first-year students scored 940–1110 on the SAT and 16–22 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at University of Houston-Downtown?
24% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (1,491 of 6,302).
What does University of Houston-Downtown look for in applicants?
University of Houston-Downtown reports these as very important for first-year applicants: class rank, high school GPA, sAT/ACT scores. Important: rigor of high school courses. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does University of Houston-Downtown have early decision?
No. University of Houston-Downtown does not offer binding early decision (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Is University of Houston-Downtown getting harder to get into?
University of Houston-Downtown accepted 90% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 91% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; University of Houston-Downtown's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to University of Houston-Downtown overview