Southeastern vs. SHSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, LA with Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sam Houston State University is larger than Southeastern based on total student enrollment (21,039 students vs. 14,426 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southeastern Louisiana University is located in Hammond, LA (Distant Town setting); Sam Houston State University is in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• Southeastern Louisiana 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: Southeastern Louisiana University 20:1; Sam Houston State University 19:1.

Southeastern vs. SHSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southeastern or SHSU? 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 Southeastern Louisiana University than SHSU ($13,116 vs. $14,737).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southeastern Louisiana University are 12.6% lower than at Sam Houston State University ($10,240 vs. $11,720).
• Sam Houston State University is 10.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southeastern (about $855 more per year; $9,228.00 vs. $8,373.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.4% higher at Southeastern than at Sam Houston State University (about $1,783 more per year; $20,851.00 vs. $19,068.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southeastern Louisiana University than at Sam Houston State University (97% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sam Houston State University students is 4.1% larger than aid received by Southeastern Louisiana University students ($10,669 vs. $10,253).

Southeastern vs. SHSU Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Southeastern students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at SHSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSam Houston State University 930/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southeastern Louisiana University 19/24; Sam Houston State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southeastern - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); SHSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Southeastern Aug 1, 2027; SHSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southeastern students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at SHSU (3.25).
• Southeastern has a higher acceptance rate (99.3%) than SHSU (90.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.8% at Southeastern vs. 21.1% at SHSU.

Southeastern vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southeastern and SHSU? 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 Southeastern Louisiana University's (33%).
• Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Southeastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $41,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southeastern Louisiana University graduates have a $228 lower median loan debt than SHSU graduates ($21,272 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Southeastern 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 Southeastern students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 52%)

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.