Texas Southern University (TSU) is a state historically Black university (HBCU) in Houston, Texas. It has around 7,000–8,000 students enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective, and the acceptance rate is around 93%. The most popular majors are Business, Law, Health Professions, Criminal Justice, and Liberal Arts. The six-year graduation rate is comparatively low at around 20–25%. Alumni receive a median salary of around INR 46,00,000 (approximately $55,000 converted) ten years post-graduation.
Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) is a public HBCU and a Texas A&M University System institution, based in Prairie View, Texas (roughly 50 miles from Houston). It has about 9,000 students. The admissions are fairly selective, with an overall acceptance rate of around 24%. Engineering, Nursing, Business, Criminal Justice, and Agriculture are the most popular majors. PVAMU boasts a six-year graduation rate of around 36%. Alumni earned a median salary of almost INR 47,00,000 (equivalent to $56,000) within ten years of graduation.
| Texas Southern University | Prairie View A&M University | |
|---|---|---|
| ranking (overall) | # 395 US News 2024 | # 395 US News 2024 |
| Subject Strength | # 178 for Law by US News 2025 | # 183 for Engineering by US News 2024 |
| Programs | UG Programs -43 PG Programs -12 | UG Programs -25 PG Programs -15 |
| Acceptance Rate | 93.0 % | 24.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-6 SAT-717 TOEFL-79 | IELTS-6.5 SAT-870 TOEFL-61 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 27300 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 13610 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 28243 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 24843 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 17417 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 17546 Per Year |
Top Courses Comparison
| application | - | - |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 105/160IELTS - 6/9TOEFL - 79/120 | IELTS - 6.5/9TOEFL - 79/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -18000 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - |
| application dates | Jul 15, 2024 (Application Deadline For Fall 2024 Intake) Nov 15, 2024 (Application Deadline For Spring 2025 Intake) | Feb 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Summer 2026 Intake) May 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Sep 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Spring 2027 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Texas Southern University | Prairie View A&M University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1927 | 1876 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 13:1 | 18:1 |
| Male:Female | 42% Male, 58% Female | 39% Male, 61% Female |
| Hostel | #Off campus (not with family) - $13713 #Off campus (with family) - $4866 #On campus - $9664 | #Off campus (with family) - $1789 #Off campus (not with family) - $7355 #On campus - $8402 |
| Weather | - |
Texas Southern University vs Prairie View A&M University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
TSU and PVAMU are both public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in Texas. Neither is featured widely in international rankings such as QS or Times Higher Education but are both regionally known and nationally acclaimed for their roles in higher education and African American community leadership.
General Information
TSU: Established in 1927, with roughly 7,500 students, in Houston—offering students exposure to a large city job market and cultural center.
PVAMU: Established in 1876, with approximately 9,000 students, some 50 miles north of Houston on a more conventional, rural campus but still closely associated with the larger Texas A&M system.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
TSU: Moderately selective with a roughly 93% acceptance rate.
PVAMU: Slightly more selective, with around a 24% rate of acceptance, and more competitive engineering and nursing admissions.
Research Impact & Facilities
TSU: Focused on urban studies, law, public policy, and health, with Houston partnerships offering real-world experience.
PVAMU: A designated R2 research university with strong emphasis on engineering, agriculture, and STEM research through federally sponsored projects and partnerships with Texas A&M.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both are reasonably priced public HBCUs, with average tuition ranging from $9,000–$11,000 (in-state) per year. PVAMU, being part of the Texas A&M System, frequently has greater scholarship and research funding support, while TSU provides competitive packages linked to professional programs.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
TSU: Creates a lot of law, political, healthcare, and business alumni, particularly in the Houston area.
PVAMU: Composed of engineering, education, nursing, and agriculture graduates with large numbers represented in leadership positions throughout Texas.
