SHSU vs. West Texas A & M University

Should I go to Sam Houston State University or West Texas A & M University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SHSU or West Texas A & M University 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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Sam Houston State University vs. West Texas A & M University comparison
Sam Houston State University West Texas A & M University College 3 College 4
Sam Houston State University West Texas A & M University
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Overview

 SHSU West Texas A & M University
Location Huntsville, TX Canyon, TX
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 21,403 8,997
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #747 #879
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website shsu.edu wtamu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 SHSU West Texas A & M University
Tuition (In State) $5,856 $6,372
Tuition (Out of State) $15,648 $8,267
Room & Board $11,720 $9,449
Avg Net Price $14,556 $17,182
Avg Grant Aid $9,941 $7,378
% Receiving Grant Aid 65% 93%

Admission

 SHSU West Texas A & M University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 17,582 4,784
Admitted 15,014 4,657
Acceptance Rate 85.4% 97.3%
Enrolled % 24% 27.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.25 3.61
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 18/24
SAT Range 940/1140 960/1160
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 SHSU West Texas A & M University
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
  • General Studies (12%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • General Studies (16%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (13%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Agriculture (7%)

Outcomes

 SHSU West Texas A & M University
Graduation Rate 50% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,800 $44,100
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 55%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $222 $211

Diversity

 SHSU West Texas A & M University
% Men 5% 9%
% Women 10% 16%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 53% 60%
% Black 19% 6%
% Hispanic 20% 26%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 1% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

 SHSU West Texas A & M University
% In-State 99% 87%
% Out-of-State 1% 13%

Campus

 SHSU West Texas A & M University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Sam Houston State University is larger than than West Texas A & M University based on total student enrollment (21,403 students vs. 8,997 students)

SHSU vs. West Texas A & M University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHSU or West Texas A & M University?

  • West Texas A & M University is 8.8% more expensive to attend than SHSU for in-state tuition ($6,372.00 vs. $5,856.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 89.3% higher at SHSU than West Texas A & M University ($15,648.00 vs. $8,267.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sam Houston State University than West Texas A & M University ($14,556 vs. $17,182)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Texas A & M University are 24% lower than costs at Sam Houston State University ($9,449 vs. $11,720)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at West Texas A & M University than Sam Houston State University (93% vs. 65%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sam Houston State University students is 34.7% larger than aid received West Texas A & M University ($9,941 vs. $7,378)

SHSU vs. West Texas A & M University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Sam Houston State University (997) is 26 points higher than at West Texas A & M University (971)
  • Incoming SHSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at West Texas A & M University (21)
  • Accepted freshman West Texas A & M University students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at SHSU (3.25)
  • West Texas A & M University has a higher acceptance rate (97.3%) than SHSU (85.4%)

SHSU vs. West Texas A & M University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SHSU or West Texas A & M University? 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 West Texas A & M University and SHSU.

  • The graduation rate at SHSU is higher than West Texas A & M University (50% vs. 42%)
  • Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn on average $3,700 more per year than West Texas A & M University graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $44,100)
  • West Texas A & M University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than SHSU graduates. ($20,500 vs. $21,500)
  • West Texas A & M University graduates are paying $11 less per month on federal student loans than SHSU graduates. ($211 vs. $222)
  • More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former West Texas A & M University 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/