HSU vs. SHSU

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

Hardin Simmons University
Sam Houston State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: HSU (90% admitted vs 90.3%). Typical SAT 1100 vs 1030.
  • Cheaper after aid: SHSU. Average net price is $14,737 vs $19,811 at HSU.
  • Graduation: HSU 47% vs SHSU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: HSU $46,600 vs SHSU $47,800 (median).
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Key differences

Hardin Simmons University Sam Houston State University
Acceptance rate
HSU more selective
HSU90%
SHSU90.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
HSU higher
HSU1010-1190
SHSU930-1120
Average net price
SHSU $5,074 less
HSU$19,811
SHSU$14,737
In-state tuition
SHSU $23,732 less
HSU$32,960
SHSU$9,228
Out-of-state tuition
SHSU $13,892 less
HSU$32,960
SHSU$19,068
Graduation rate
SHSU +3 pts
HSU47%
SHSU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
SHSU +$1,200
HSU$46,600
SHSU$47,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • HSU 3,479
  • SHSU 17,179
  • Admitted
  • HSU 3,131
  • SHSU 15,506
  • Acceptance rate
  • HSU 90%
  • SHSU 90.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • HSU 12.2%
  • SHSU 21.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • HSU 1100
  • SHSU 1030
  • Typical ACT score
  • HSU 22
  • SHSU 20
  • Average high school GPA
  • HSU 3.43
  • SHSU 3.25
  • Typical high school grades
  • HSU B+
  • SHSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • HSU Easy
  • SHSU Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • HSU
  • SHSU
  • SAT range
  • HSU 1010-1190
  • SHSU 930-1120
  • ACT range
  • HSU 19-26
  • SHSU 17-24
  • Submit test scores
  • HSU Test optional
  • SHSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • HSU
  • SHSU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • HSU $32,960
  • SHSU $9,228
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • HSU $32,960
  • SHSU $19,068
  • Room & board
  • HSU $11,500
  • SHSU $11,720
  • Average net price
  • HSU $19,811
  • SHSU $14,737
  • Average grant aid
  • HSU $26,095
  • SHSU $10,669
  • % receiving grant aid
  • HSU 100%
  • SHSU 66%
  • Graduation rate
  • HSU 47%
  • SHSU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • HSU $46,600
  • SHSU $47,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • HSU 67%
  • SHSU 57%
  • Median student loan debt
  • HSU $25,989
  • SHSU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • HSU $268
  • SHSU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • HSU 15:1
  • SHSU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • HSU
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • SHSU
    • Business (27%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
    • General Studies (12%)
    • Psychology (6%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • Location
  • HSU Abilene, TX
  • SHSU Huntsville, TX
  • Setting
  • HSU Midsize City
  • SHSU Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • HSU 1,665
  • SHSU 21,039
  • Type
  • HSU Private 4 Year
  • SHSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • HSU #648
  • SHSU #794

Comparable Facts

Compare Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, TX 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 HSU based on total student enrollment (21,039 students vs. 1,665 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Hardin Simmons University is located in Abilene, TX (Midsize City setting); Sam Houston State University is in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting).
  • Hardin Simmons University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sam Houston State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Hardin Simmons University 15:1; Sam Houston State University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hardin Simmons University are 1.9% lower than at Sam Houston State University ($11,500 vs. $11,720).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 72.9% higher at HSU than at Sam Houston State University (about $13,892 more per year; $32,960 vs. $19,068).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hardin Simmons University than at Sam Houston State University (100% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Hardin Simmons University students is 144.6% larger than aid received by Sam Houston State University students ($26,095 vs. $10,669).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at HSU than at SHSU (22 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both HSU and SHSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SHSU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at HSU average a 3.43 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at SHSU (3.25).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at HSU vs. 21.1% at SHSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Sam Houston State University graduates have a $4,489 lower median loan debt than HSU graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,989).
  • Among borrowers, SHSU graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HSU graduates ($222 vs. $268).
  • More HSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SHSU students, three years after graduation (67% vs. 57%).

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

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