MSU vs. SHSU

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

Midwestern State University
Sam Houston State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SHSU (90.3% admitted vs 93.5%). Typical SAT 1030 vs 1010.
  • Cheaper after aid: MSU. Average net price is $11,215 vs $14,737 at SHSU.
  • Graduation: MSU 34% vs SHSU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: MSU $44,300 vs SHSU $47,800 (median).
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Key differences

Midwestern State University Sam Houston State University
Acceptance rate
SHSU more selective
MSU93.5%
SHSU90.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SHSU higher
MSU910-1100
SHSU930-1120
Average net price
MSU $3,522 less
MSU$11,215
SHSU$14,737
In-state tuition
SHSU $1,352 less
MSU$10,580
SHSU$9,228
Out-of-state tuition
MSU $6,538 less
MSU$12,530
SHSU$19,068
Graduation rate
SHSU +16 pts
MSU34%
SHSU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
SHSU +$3,500
MSU$44,300
SHSU$47,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • MSU 7,803
  • SHSU 17,179
  • Admitted
  • MSU 7,297
  • SHSU 15,506
  • Acceptance rate
  • MSU 93.5%
  • SHSU 90.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • MSU 12.9%
  • SHSU 21.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • MSU 1010
  • SHSU 1030
  • Typical ACT score
  • MSU 19
  • SHSU 20
  • Average high school GPA
  • MSU 3.2
  • SHSU 3.25
  • Typical high school grades
  • MSU B+
  • SHSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • MSU Extremely Easy
  • SHSU Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • MSU
  • SHSU
  • SAT range
  • MSU 910-1100
  • SHSU 930-1120
  • ACT range
  • MSU 16-22
  • SHSU 17-24
  • Submit test scores
  • MSU Test-free
  • SHSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • MSU
  • SHSU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • MSU $10,580
  • SHSU $9,228
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • MSU $12,530
  • SHSU $19,068
  • Room & board
  • MSU $11,124
  • SHSU $11,720
  • Average net price
  • MSU $11,215
  • SHSU $14,737
  • Average grant aid
  • MSU $11,037
  • SHSU $10,669
  • % receiving grant aid
  • MSU 92%
  • SHSU 66%
  • Graduation rate
  • MSU 34%
  • SHSU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • MSU $44,300
  • SHSU $47,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • MSU 56%
  • SHSU 57%
  • Median student loan debt
  • MSU $22,299
  • SHSU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • MSU $230
  • SHSU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • MSU 18:1
  • SHSU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • MSU
    • Health Professions (32%)
    • Business (22%)
    • General Studies (15%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (3%)
  • SHSU
    • Business (27%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
    • General Studies (12%)
    • Psychology (6%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • Location
  • MSU Wichita Falls, TX
  • SHSU Huntsville, TX
  • Setting
  • MSU Midsize City
  • SHSU Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • MSU 5,324
  • SHSU 21,039
  • Type
  • MSU Public 4 Year
  • SHSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • MSU #878
  • SHSU #794

Comparable Facts

Compare Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, 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 MSU based on total student enrollment (21,039 students vs. 5,324 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Midwestern State University is located in Wichita Falls, TX (Midsize City setting); Sam Houston State University is in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting).
  • Midwestern State 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: Midwestern State University 18:1; Sam Houston State University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Midwestern State University are 5.1% lower than at Sam Houston State University ($11,124 vs. $11,720).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 52.2% higher at SHSU than at Midwestern State University (about $6,538 more per year; $19,068 vs. $12,530).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Midwestern State University than at Sam Houston State University (92% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Midwestern State University students is 3.4% larger than aid received by Sam Houston State University students ($11,037 vs. $10,669).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at SHSU than at MSU (20 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at MSU, test optional at SHSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SHSU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at SHSU average a 3.25 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at MSU (3.2).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at MSU vs. 21.1% at SHSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Sam Houston State University graduates have a $799 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,299).
  • Among borrowers, SHSU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($222 vs. $230).
  • More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU students, three years after graduation (57% vs. 56%).

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

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