Is University of Houston-Downtown test optional?

We haven't confirmed University of Houston-Downtown's test policy for 2026–27. Check their admissions site; many colleges have changed their policy since 2020.

What is University of Houston-Downtown's acceptance rate?

90% of applicants were admitted in 2025–26, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 5,893 of 6,551 applicants were admitted. Applications rose 89%, from 3,460 in 2015 to 6,551 in 2024, and University of Houston-Downtown's admit rate went from 78% to 90%.

What ACT score do you need for University of Houston-Downtown?

4% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 16–21, with a median of 19. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 880–1050 works out to about 16–20.

What GPA do you need for University of Houston-Downtown?

There's no published cutoff. First-year students averaged a 3.33 high school GPA, and 7% of those who reported a class rank were in their top 10%, per the Common Data Set 2025–26. Colleges compute GPA differently, so compare it loosely.

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What SAT score do you need for University of Houston-Downtown? (Middle 50%: 880–1050)

First-year students at University of Houston-Downtown who sent an SAT scored 880–1050, with a median of 970 (Common Data Set 2025–26). University of Houston-Downtown admits 90% of applicants.

University of Houston-Downtown · Houston, TX

Where your score lands at University of Houston-Downtown

First-year students who sent an SAT: 880–1050, median 970

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier University of Houston-Downtown is for you and whether to send your score.

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University of Houston-Downtown by the numbers

Admit rate: 90%
Middle 50% SAT: 880–1050
Median SAT: 970
About on the ACT: 16–20
Sent an SAT: 60%

Test policy not confirmed for 2026–27 · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2025–26; admit rate from it or IPEDS

University of Houston-Downtown admit rate over 10 years

Applications rose 89%, from 3,460 in 2015 to 6,551 in 2024, and University of Houston-Downtown's admit rate went from 78% to 90%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	6,551	5,893	90%
2023	6,953	6,302	91%
2022	6,131	5,421	88%
2021	6,148	5,831	95%
2020	5,973	5,544	93%
2019	5,617	4,981	89%
2018	4,416	3,673	83%
2017	3,931	3,305	84%
2016	4,187	3,470	83%
2015	3,460	2,686	78%

In fall 2024, 1,181 of the 5,893 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at University of Houston-Downtown

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?*

Under 830Far reachHold
830–870ReachHold
880–960TargetHold
970–1040TargetSend
1050 and upLikelySend

700800900100011001200

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges. *Send it? assumes they're test optional; we haven't confirmed their policy.

University of Houston-Downtown SAT sections, ACT, GPA and class rank

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	430	480	530
SAT Reading and Writing	440	490	540
SAT total	880	970	1050
ACT composite	16	19	21

Of enrolled first-year students, 60% sent an SAT and 4% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2025–26.

Average high school GPA: 3.33; 100% of new students reported one
Top 10% of their class: 7%; of new students who reported a rank

University of Houston-Downtown cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $10,542; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 33%
Median earnings: $53,551; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 15,250

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Colleges like University of Houston-Downtown

Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.

More colleges in Texas

Every college for an SAT of1050

Sources

University of Houston-Downtown Common Data Set 2025–26
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
University of Houston-Downtown website
University of Houston-Downtown

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 880–1050, and the median was 970. At 970 or higher you're above half of them. University of Houston-Downtown admits 90% of applicants.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

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A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$