Nicholls State University vs. SHSU

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

Nicholls State University
Sam Houston State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SHSU (90.3% admitted vs 90.8%). Typical SAT 1030 vs 1070.
  • Cheaper after aid: Nicholls State University. Average net price is $12,298 vs $14,737 at SHSU.
  • Graduation: Nicholls State University 38% vs SHSU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Nicholls State University $42,600 vs SHSU $47,800 (median).
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Key differences

Nicholls State University Sam Houston State University
Acceptance rate
SHSU more selective
Nicholls State University90.8%
SHSU90.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Nicholls State University higher
Nicholls State University934-1196
SHSU930-1120
Average net price
Nicholls State University $2,439 less
Nicholls State University$12,298
SHSU$14,737
In-state tuition
Nicholls State University $1,079 less
Nicholls State University$8,149
SHSU$9,228
Out-of-state tuition
Nicholls State University $9,826 less
Nicholls State University$9,242
SHSU$19,068
Graduation rate
SHSU +12 pts
Nicholls State University38%
SHSU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
SHSU +$5,200
Nicholls State University$42,600
SHSU$47,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Nicholls State University 3,369
  • SHSU 17,179
  • Admitted
  • Nicholls State University 3,059
  • SHSU 15,506
  • Acceptance rate
  • Nicholls State University 90.8%
  • SHSU 90.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Nicholls State University 35.4%
  • SHSU 21.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Nicholls State University 1070
  • SHSU 1030
  • Typical ACT score
  • Nicholls State University 21
  • SHSU 20
  • Average high school GPA
  • Nicholls State University 3.34
  • SHSU 3.25
  • Typical high school grades
  • Nicholls State University B+
  • SHSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Nicholls State University Easy
  • SHSU Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Nicholls State University
  • SHSU
  • SAT range
  • Nicholls State University 934-1196
  • SHSU 930-1120
  • ACT range
  • Nicholls State University 19-24
  • SHSU 17-24
  • Submit test scores
  • Nicholls State University Required
  • SHSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Nicholls State University
  • SHSU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Nicholls State University $8,149
  • SHSU $9,228
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Nicholls State University $9,242
  • SHSU $19,068
  • Room & board
  • Nicholls State University $11,412
  • SHSU $11,720
  • Average net price
  • Nicholls State University $12,298
  • SHSU $14,737
  • Average grant aid
  • Nicholls State University $10,392
  • SHSU $10,669
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Nicholls State University 89%
  • SHSU 66%
  • Graduation rate
  • Nicholls State University 38%
  • SHSU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Nicholls State University $42,600
  • SHSU $47,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Nicholls State University 51%
  • SHSU 57%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Nicholls State University $19,848
  • SHSU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Nicholls State University $205
  • SHSU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Nicholls State University 19:1
  • SHSU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • Nicholls State University
    • Business (23%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (19%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Personal and Culinary Services (7%)
  • SHSU
    • Business (27%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
    • General Studies (12%)
    • Psychology (6%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • Location
  • Nicholls State University Thibodaux, LA
  • SHSU Huntsville, TX
  • Setting
  • Nicholls State University Small City
  • SHSU Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Nicholls State University 6,043
  • SHSU 21,039
  • Type
  • Nicholls State University Public 4 Year
  • SHSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Nicholls State University #898
  • SHSU #794

Comparable Facts

Compare Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, LA 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 Nicholls State University based on total student enrollment (21,039 students vs. 6,043 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Nicholls State University is located in Thibodaux, LA (Small City setting); Sam Houston State University is in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting).
  • Nicholls 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: Nicholls State University 19:1; Sam Houston State University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nicholls State University are 2.6% lower than at Sam Houston State University ($11,412 vs. $11,720).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 106.3% higher at SHSU than at Nicholls State University (about $9,826 more per year; $19,068 vs. $9,242).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nicholls State University than at Sam Houston State University (89% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sam Houston State University students is 2.7% larger than aid received by Nicholls State University students ($10,669 vs. $10,392).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Nicholls State University than at SHSU (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Nicholls State University, test optional at SHSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SHSU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Nicholls State University average a 3.34 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at SHSU (3.25).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.4% at Nicholls State University vs. 21.1% at SHSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Nicholls State University graduates have a $1,652 lower median loan debt than SHSU graduates ($19,848 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, Nicholls State University graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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