ECU vs. SHSU

East Central University and Sam Houston State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

East Central University
Sam Houston State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: ECU (58.1% admitted vs 90.3%). Typical SAT 1010 vs 1030.
  • Cheaper after aid: ECU. Average net price is $8,565 vs $14,737 at SHSU.
  • Graduation: ECU 34% vs SHSU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: ECU $40,300 vs SHSU $47,800 (median).
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Key differences

East Central University Sam Houston State University
Acceptance rate
ECU more selective
ECU58.1%
SHSU90.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SHSU higher
ECU900-1120
SHSU930-1120
Average net price
ECU $6,172 less
ECU$8,565
SHSU$14,737
In-state tuition
ECU $1,196 less
ECU$8,032
SHSU$9,228
Out-of-state tuition
ECU $1,226 less
ECU$17,842
SHSU$19,068
Graduation rate
SHSU +16 pts
ECU34%
SHSU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
SHSU +$7,500
ECU$40,300
SHSU$47,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • ECU 2,148
  • SHSU 17,179
  • Admitted
  • ECU 1,249
  • SHSU 15,506
  • Acceptance rate
  • ECU 58.1%
  • SHSU 90.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • ECU 42.4%
  • SHSU 21.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • ECU 1010
  • SHSU 1030
  • Typical ACT score
  • ECU 20
  • SHSU 20
  • Average high school GPA
  • ECU 3.31
  • SHSU 3.25
  • Typical high school grades
  • ECU B+
  • SHSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • ECU Very Easy
  • SHSU Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • ECU Low
  • SHSU
  • SAT range
  • ECU 900-1120
  • SHSU 930-1120
  • ACT range
  • ECU 17-24
  • SHSU 17-24
  • Submit test scores
  • ECU Test optional
  • SHSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • ECU
  • SHSU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • ECU $8,032
  • SHSU $9,228
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • ECU $17,842
  • SHSU $19,068
  • Room & board
  • ECU $8,516
  • SHSU $11,720
  • Average net price
  • ECU $8,565
  • SHSU $14,737
  • Average grant aid
  • ECU $9,255
  • SHSU $10,669
  • % receiving grant aid
  • ECU 91%
  • SHSU 66%
  • Graduation rate
  • ECU 34%
  • SHSU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • ECU $40,300
  • SHSU $47,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • ECU 45%
  • SHSU 57%
  • Median student loan debt
  • ECU $16,878
  • SHSU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • ECU $174
  • SHSU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • ECU 18:1
  • SHSU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • ECU
    • Human Services (14%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • SHSU
    • Business (27%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
    • General Studies (12%)
    • Psychology (6%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • Location
  • ECU Ada, OK
  • SHSU Huntsville, TX
  • Setting
  • ECU Remote Town
  • SHSU Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • ECU 3,377
  • SHSU 21,039
  • Type
  • ECU Public 4 Year
  • SHSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • ECU #859
  • SHSU #794

Comparable Facts

Compare East Central University in Ada, OK with Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Sam Houston State University is larger than ECU based on total student enrollment (21,039 students vs. 3,377 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • East Central University is located in Ada, OK (Remote Town setting); Sam Houston State University is in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting).
  • East Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sam Houston State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: East Central University 18:1; Sam Houston State University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 27.3% lower than at Sam Houston State University ($8,516 vs. $11,720).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.9% higher at SHSU than at East Central University (about $1,226 more per year; $19,068 vs. $17,842).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at East Central University than at Sam Houston State University (91% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sam Houston State University students is 15.3% larger than aid received by East Central University students ($10,669 vs. $9,255).

Admissions details

  • Incoming ECU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 20) as students at SHSU (20).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both ECU and SHSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SHSU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at ECU average a 3.31 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at SHSU (3.25).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 42.4% at ECU vs. 21.1% at SHSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, East Central University graduates have a $4,622 lower median loan debt than SHSU graduates ($16,878 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHSU graduates ($174 vs. $222).
  • More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation (57% vs. 45%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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