SHSU vs. Messenger College

Comparable Facts

Compare Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX with Messenger College in Bedford, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sam Houston State University is larger than Messenger College based on total student enrollment (21,039 students vs. 24 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sam Houston State University is located in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting); Messenger College is in Bedford, TX (Small City setting).
• Sam Houston State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Messenger College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sam Houston State University 19:1; Messenger College 8:1.

SHSU vs. Messenger College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHSU or Messenger College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sam Houston State University than Messenger College ($14,737 vs. $25,941).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sam Houston State University are 11.9% lower than at Messenger College ($11,720 vs. $13,305).
• Messenger College is 25.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SHSU (about $2,392 more per year; $11,620.00 vs. $9,228.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.1% higher at SHSU than at Messenger College (about $7,448 more per year; $19,068.00 vs. $11,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Messenger College than at Sam Houston State University (88% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sam Houston State University students is 170.8% larger than aid received by Messenger College students ($10,669 vs. $3,940).

SHSU vs. Messenger College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SHSU or Messenger College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Messenger College and SHSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sam Houston State University 930/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sam Houston State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SHSU - Test optional; Messenger College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SHSU Aug 1, 2027; Messenger College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SHSU students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.25) than students at Messenger College (2.9).
• SHSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than Messenger College (37.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at SHSU vs. 66.7% at Messenger College.

SHSU vs. Messenger College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHSU and Messenger College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Sam Houston State University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Messenger College's (10%).
• Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn a median of about $23,800 more per year than Messenger College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $24,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Messenger College students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 40%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.