Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
Lamar University University of Houston-Downtown SFASU Tarleton Texas State UNT TAMUK Texas A&M UH A&M Commerce UTSA Texas Tech| Arkansas Tech University | Sam Houston State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
ATU | SHSU | ||
| Location | Russellville, AR | Huntsville, TX | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 9,487 | 21,403 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #927 | #747 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | atu.edu | shsu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
ATU | SHSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $5,995 | $5,856 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $11,989 | $15,648 | ||
| Room & Board | $9,852 | $11,720 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $11,443 | $14,556 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,680 | $9,941 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 93% | 65% |
Admission |
ATU | SHSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 4,904 | 17,582 | ||
| Admitted | 4,722 | 15,014 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 96.3% | 85.4% | ||
| Enrolled % | 31.1% | 24% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.37 | 3.25 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 17/24 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 940/1150 | 940/1140 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2025 |
Academics |
ATU | SHSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 20:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
ATU | SHSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 43% | 50% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,100 | $47,800 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 51% | 57% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $17,750 | $21,500 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $183 | $222 |
Diversity |
ATU | SHSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 3% | 5% | ||
| % Women | 4% | 10% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Low | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 76% | 53% | ||
| % Black | 10% | 19% | ||
| % Hispanic | 6% | 20% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 3% | ||
| % International | 4% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 2% |
Students |
ATU | SHSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 94% | 99% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 5% | 1% | ||
Campus |
ATU | SHSU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Sam Houston State University is larger than than ATU based on total student enrollment (21,403 students vs. 9,487 students)
ATU vs. SHSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, ATU or SHSU?
- Arkansas Tech University is 2.4% more expensive to attend than SHSU for in-state tuition ($5,995.00 vs. $5,856.00)
- Out of state tuition is 30.5% higher at SHSU than Arkansas Tech University ($15,648.00 vs. $11,989.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arkansas Tech University than SHSU ($11,443 vs. $14,556)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas Tech University are 19% lower than costs at Sam Houston State University ($9,852 vs. $11,720)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Arkansas Tech University than Sam Houston State University (93% vs. 65%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Sam Houston State University students is 2.7% larger than aid received Arkansas Tech University ($9,941 vs. $9,680)
ATU vs. SHSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, ATU or SHSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SHSU or ATU .
- Accepted freshman ATU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at SHSU (3.25)
- ATU has a higher acceptance rate (96.3%) than SHSU (85.4%)
ATU vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, ATU or SHSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SHSU and ATU.
- The graduation rate at SHSU is higher than Arkansas Tech University (50% vs. 43%)
- Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn on average $10,700 more per year than ATU graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $37,100)
- Arkansas Tech University students graduate with a $3,750 lower median federal student loan debt than SHSU graduates. ($17,750 vs. $21,500)
- ATU graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than SHSU graduates. ($183 vs. $222)
- More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ATU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 51%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/