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 HSU UH A&M Commerce UTSA| McMurry University | Sam Houston State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
McMurry University | SHSU | ||
| Location | Abilene, TX | Huntsville, TX | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 2,549 | 21,403 | ||
| Type | Private 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #789 | #747 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | United Methodist | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | mcm.edu | shsu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
McMurry University | SHSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $30,922 | $5,856 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $30,922 | $15,648 | ||
| Room & Board | $9,788 | $11,720 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $20,817 | $14,556 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $22,204 | $9,941 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 97% | 65% |
Admission |
McMurry University | SHSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 4,836 | 17,582 | ||
| Admitted | 2,788 | 15,014 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 57.7% | 85.4% | ||
| Enrolled % | 11.4% | 24% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.7 | 3.25 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | A- | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 18/25 | 19/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 1010/1170 | 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 15, 2025 | Aug 1, 2025 |
Academics |
McMurry University | SHSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 13:1 | 20:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
McMurry University | SHSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 36% | 50% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $43,700 | $47,800 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 53% | 57% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $26,824 | $21,500 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $277 | $222 |
Diversity |
McMurry University | SHSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 0% | 5% | ||
| % Women | 0% | 10% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 52% | 53% | ||
| % Black | 18% | 19% | ||
| % Hispanic | 25% | 20% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 1% | 3% | ||
| % International | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 2% |
Students |
McMurry University | SHSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 94% | 99% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 3% | 1% | ||
Campus |
McMurry University | SHSU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Sam Houston State University is larger than than McMurry University based on total student enrollment (21,403 students vs. 2,549 students)
McMurry University vs. SHSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, McMurry University or SHSU?
- McMurry University is 428% more expensive to attend than SHSU for in-state tuition ($30,922.00 vs. $5,856.00)
- Out of state tuition is 97.6% higher at McMurry University than Sam Houston State University ($30,922.00 vs. $15,648.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sam Houston State University than McMurry University ($14,556 vs. $20,817)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McMurry University are 19.7% lower than costs at Sam Houston State University ($9,788 vs. $11,720)
- More students receive financial grant aid at McMurry University than Sam Houston State University (97% vs. 65%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by McMurry University students is 123.4% larger than aid received Sam Houston State University ($22,204 vs. $9,941)
McMurry University vs. SHSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, McMurry University or SHSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SHSU or McMurry University .
- The average SAT score at Sam Houston State University (997) is 110 points higher than at McMurry University (887)
- Incoming SHSU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at McMurry University (19)
- Accepted freshman McMurry University students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at SHSU (3.25)
- SHSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.4%) than McMurry University (57.7%)
McMurry University vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, McMurry University 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 McMurry University.
- The graduation rate at SHSU is higher than McMurry University (50% vs. 36%)
- Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn on average $4,100 more per year than McMurry University graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $43,700)
- Sam Houston State University students graduate with a $5,324 lower median federal student loan debt than McMurry University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $26,824)
- SHSU graduates are paying $55 less per month on federal student loans than McMurry University graduates. ($222 vs. $277)
- More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McMurry University students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 53%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/