SHSU vs. South Texas College

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

Sam Houston State University
South Texas College

At a glance

  • Cheaper after aid: South Texas College. Average net price is $1,844 vs $14,737 at SHSU.
  • Earnings 10 years out: SHSU $47,800 vs South Texas College $34,200 (median).
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Key differences

Sam Houston State University South Texas College
Acceptance rate
SHSU more selective
SHSU90.3%
South Texas College-
SAT range (middle 50%)
SHSU higher
SHSU930-1120
South Texas College-
Average net price
South Texas College $12,893 less
SHSU$14,737
South Texas College$1,844
In-state tuition
South Texas College $4,008 less
SHSU$9,228
South Texas College$5,220
Out-of-state tuition
South Texas College $11,448 less
SHSU$19,068
South Texas College$7,620
Graduation rate
SHSU +50 pts
SHSU50%
South Texas College-
Median earnings (10 years)
SHSU +$13,600
SHSU$47,800
South Texas College$34,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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  • Applied
  • SHSU 17,179
  • South Texas College -
  • Admitted
  • SHSU 15,506
  • South Texas College -
  • Acceptance rate
  • SHSU 90.3%
  • South Texas College Open
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • SHSU 21.1%
  • South Texas College Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • SHSU 1030
  • South Texas College
  • Typical ACT score
  • SHSU 20
  • South Texas College
  • Average high school GPA
  • SHSU 3.25
  • South Texas College -
  • Typical high school grades
  • SHSU B+
  • South Texas College -
  • Admissions standards
  • SHSU Very Easy
  • South Texas College Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • SHSU
  • South Texas College
  • SAT range
  • SHSU 930-1120
  • South Texas College
  • ACT range
  • SHSU 17-24
  • South Texas College
  • Submit test scores
  • SHSU Test optional
  • South Texas College Open admission
  • Application deadline
  • SHSU Aug 1, 2027
  • South Texas College Jun 18, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • SHSU $9,228
  • South Texas College $4,920
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • SHSU $19,068
  • South Texas College $7,620
  • Room & board
  • SHSU $11,720
  • South Texas College $8,638
  • Average net price
  • SHSU $14,737
  • South Texas College $1,844
  • Average grant aid
  • SHSU $10,669
  • South Texas College $7,547
  • % receiving grant aid
  • SHSU 66%
  • South Texas College 86%
  • Graduation rate
  • SHSU 50%
  • South Texas College -
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • SHSU $47,800
  • South Texas College $34,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • SHSU 57%
  • South Texas College -
  • Median student loan debt
  • SHSU $21,500
  • South Texas College N/A
  • Median loan payment
  • SHSU $222
  • South Texas College N/A
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • SHSU 19:1
  • South Texas College 22:1
  • Popular majors
  • SHSU
    • Business (27%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
    • General Studies (12%)
    • Psychology (6%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • South Texas College
    • Health Professions (20%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (11%)
    • Business (10%)
    • General Studies (6%)
  • Location
  • SHSU Huntsville, TX
  • South Texas College McAllen, TX
  • Setting
  • SHSU Remote Town
  • South Texas College Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • SHSU 21,039
  • South Texas College 27,431
  • Type
  • SHSU Public 4 Year
  • South Texas College Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • SHSU #794
  • South Texas College

Comparable Facts

Compare Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX with South Texas College in McAllen, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

South Texas College is larger than SHSU based on total student enrollment (27,431 students vs. 21,039 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Sam Houston State University is located in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting); South Texas College is in McAllen, TX (Midsize City setting).
  • Sam Houston State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Texas College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Sam Houston State University 19:1; South Texas College 22:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Texas College are 26.3% lower than at Sam Houston State University ($8,638 vs. $11,720).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 150.2% higher at SHSU than at South Texas College (about $11,448 more per year; $19,068 vs. $7,620).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Texas College than at Sam Houston State University (86% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sam Houston State University students is 41.4% larger than aid received by South Texas College students ($10,669 vs. $7,547).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at SHSU, open admission at South Texas College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SHSU Aug 1, 2027; South Texas College Jun 18, 2027.

Loans and repayment

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

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