SHSU vs. Texas State

Comparable Facts

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

Texas State University is larger than SHSU based on total student enrollment (40,674 students vs. 21,039 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sam Houston State University is located in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting); Texas State University is in San Marcos, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Sam Houston State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sam Houston State University 19:1; Texas State University 21:1.

SHSU vs. Texas State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHSU or Texas State? 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 Texas State ($14,737 vs. $15,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sam Houston State University are 7.2% lower than at Texas State University ($11,720 vs. $12,630).
• Texas State University is 24.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SHSU (about $2,222 more per year; $11,450.00 vs. $9,228.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.3% higher at Texas State than at Sam Houston State University (about $3,862 more per year; $22,930.00 vs. $19,068.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas State University than at Sam Houston State University (76% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas State University students is 17.7% larger than aid received by Sam Houston State University students ($12,556 vs. $10,669).

SHSU vs. Texas State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SHSU or Texas State? 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 Texas State and SHSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas State University (1090) is 60 points higher than at SHSU (1030).
• Incoming Texas State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at SHSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sam Houston State University 930/1120; Texas State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sam Houston State University 17/24; Texas State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SHSU - Test optional; Texas State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SHSU Aug 1, 2027; Texas State Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Texas State students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at SHSU (3.25).
• SHSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than Texas State (89.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at SHSU vs. 26.9% at Texas State.

SHSU vs. Texas State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHSU and Texas State? 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).

• Texas State University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Sam Houston State University's (50%).
• Graduates from Texas State University earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than SHSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $47,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas State University graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than SHSU graduates ($21,250 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Texas State graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHSU graduates ($219 vs. $222).
• More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Texas State students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 55%)

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.