Nicholls State University vs. SHSU

Should I go to Nicholls State University or Sam Houston State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Nicholls State University or SHSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Nicholls State University vs. Sam Houston State University comparison
Nicholls State University Sam Houston State University College 3 College 4
Nicholls State University Sam Houston State University
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Overview

Nicholls State University SHSU
Location Thibodaux, LA Huntsville, TX
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 6,180 21,403
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #899 #747
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website nicholls.edu shsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Nicholls State University SHSU
Tuition (In State) $4,922 $5,856
Tuition (Out of State) $6,015 $15,648
Room & Board $10,938 $11,720
Avg Net Price $11,029 $14,556
Avg Grant Aid $10,052 $9,941
% Receiving Grant Aid 88% 65%

Admission

Nicholls State University SHSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,320 17,582
Admitted 3,188 15,014
Acceptance Rate 96% 85.4%
Enrolled % 36.7% 24%
Avg High School GPA 3.34 3.25
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 19/25
SAT Range 928/1145 940/1140
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Nicholls State University SHSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (19%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Personal and Culinary Services (7%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
  • General Studies (12%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Nicholls State University SHSU
Graduation Rate 38% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,600 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,848 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $205 $222

Diversity

Nicholls State University SHSU
% Men 2% 5%
% Women 7% 10%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 68% 53%
% Black 20% 19%
% Hispanic 3% 20%
% Native American 2% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

Nicholls State University SHSU
% In-State 93% 99%
% Out-of-State 4% 1%

Campus

Nicholls State University 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 Nicholls State University based on total student enrollment (21,403 students vs. 6,180 students)

Nicholls State University vs. SHSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Nicholls State University or SHSU?

  • Sam Houston State University is 19% more expensive to attend than Nicholls State University for in-state tuition ($5,856.00 vs. $4,922.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 160.1% higher at SHSU than Nicholls State University ($15,648.00 vs. $6,015.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Nicholls State University than SHSU ($11,029 vs. $14,556)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nicholls State University are 7.1% lower than costs at Sam Houston State University ($10,938 vs. $11,720)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Nicholls State University than Sam Houston State University (88% vs. 65%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Nicholls State University students is 1.1% larger than aid received Sam Houston State University ($10,052 vs. $9,941)

Nicholls State University vs. SHSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Nicholls State University or SHSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SHSU or Nicholls State University .

  • The average SAT score at Nicholls State University (1030) is 33 points higher than at SHSU (997)
  • Incoming Nicholls State University students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at SHSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Nicholls State University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.34) than students at SHSU (3.25)
  • Nicholls State University has a higher acceptance rate (96%) than SHSU (85.4%)

Nicholls State University vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Nicholls State 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 Nicholls State University.

  • The graduation rate at SHSU is higher than Nicholls State University (50% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn on average $5,200 more per year than Nicholls State University graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $42,600)
  • Nicholls State University students graduate with a $1,652 lower median federal student loan debt than SHSU graduates. ($19,848 vs. $21,500)
  • Nicholls State University graduates are paying $17 less per month on federal student loans than SHSU graduates. ($205 vs. $222)
  • More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nicholls State University 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/