UNT vs. SHSU

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

University of North Texas
Sam Houston State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: UNT (72.2% admitted vs 90.3%). Typical SAT 1110 vs 1030.
  • Cheaper after aid: SHSU. Average net price is $14,737 vs $15,965 at UNT.
  • Graduation: UNT 49% vs SHSU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UNT $47,000 vs SHSU $47,800 (median).
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Key differences

University of North Texas Sam Houston State University
Acceptance rate
UNT more selective
UNT72.2%
SHSU90.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
UNT higher
UNT980-1230
SHSU930-1120
Average net price
SHSU $1,228 less
UNT$15,965
SHSU$14,737
In-state tuition
SHSU $2,081 less
UNT$11,309
SHSU$9,228
Out-of-state tuition
SHSU $2,081 less
UNT$21,149
SHSU$19,068
Graduation rate
SHSU +1 pts
UNT49%
SHSU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
SHSU +$800
UNT$47,000
SHSU$47,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • UNT 38,477
  • SHSU 17,179
  • Admitted
  • UNT 27,793
  • SHSU 15,506
  • Acceptance rate
  • UNT 72.2%
  • SHSU 90.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UNT 24.2%
  • SHSU 21.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UNT 1110
  • SHSU 1030
  • Typical ACT score
  • UNT 23
  • SHSU 20
  • Average high school GPA
  • UNT 3.46
  • SHSU 3.25
  • Typical high school grades
  • UNT B+
  • SHSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • UNT Moderate
  • SHSU Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • UNT Low
  • SHSU
  • SAT range
  • UNT 980-1230
  • SHSU 930-1120
  • ACT range
  • UNT 19-27
  • SHSU 17-24
  • Submit test scores
  • UNT Test optional
  • SHSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UNT Aug 1, 2027
  • SHSU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UNT $11,309
  • SHSU $9,228
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UNT $21,149
  • SHSU $19,068
  • Room & board
  • UNT $11,194
  • SHSU $11,720
  • Average net price
  • UNT $15,965
  • SHSU $14,737
  • Average grant aid
  • UNT $10,408
  • SHSU $10,669
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UNT 84%
  • SHSU 66%
  • Graduation rate
  • UNT 49%
  • SHSU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UNT $47,000
  • SHSU $47,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • UNT 55%
  • SHSU 57%
  • Median student loan debt
  • UNT $20,000
  • SHSU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • UNT $206
  • SHSU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UNT 25:1
  • SHSU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • UNT
    • Business (21%)
    • General Studies (17%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • SHSU
    • Business (27%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
    • General Studies (12%)
    • Psychology (6%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • Location
  • UNT Denton, TX
  • SHSU Huntsville, TX
  • Setting
  • UNT Midsize City
  • SHSU Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • UNT 46,864
  • SHSU 21,039
  • Type
  • UNT Public 4 Year
  • SHSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UNT #671
  • SHSU #794

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Texas is larger than SHSU based on total student enrollment (46,864 students vs. 21,039 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of North Texas is located in Denton, TX (Midsize City setting); Sam Houston State University is in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting).
  • University of North Texas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sam Houston State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Texas 25:1; Sam Houston State University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Texas are 4.5% lower than at Sam Houston State University ($11,194 vs. $11,720).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.9% higher at UNT than at Sam Houston State University (about $2,081 more per year; $21,149 vs. $19,068).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Texas than at Sam Houston State University (84% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sam Houston State University students is 2.5% larger than aid received by University of North Texas students ($10,669 vs. $10,408).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at UNT than at SHSU (23 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both UNT and SHSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UNT Aug 1, 2027; SHSU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at UNT average a 3.46 high school GPA, 0.21 higher than at SHSU (3.25).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.2% at UNT vs. 21.1% at SHSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Texas graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than SHSU graduates ($20,000 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, UNT graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHSU graduates ($206 vs. $222).
  • More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNT students, three years after graduation (57% vs. 55%).

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

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