USAO vs. SHSU

Should I go to University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma or Sam Houston State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if USAO or SHSU 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Lamar University University of Houston-Downtown SFASU Tarleton Texas State UNT TAMUK Texas A&M UH A&M Commerce UTSA Texas Tech
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma vs. Sam Houston State University comparison
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Sam Houston State University College 3 College 4
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Sam Houston State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

USAO SHSU
Location Chickasha, OK Huntsville, TX
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 825 21,480
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #778
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website usao.edu shsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

USAO SHSU
Tuition (In State) $6,630 $5,856
Tuition (Out of State) $17,820 $15,648
Room & Board $7,000 $10,908
Avg Net Price $8,390 $13,632
Avg Grant Aid $12,201 $10,499
% Receiving Grant Aid 92% 73%

Admission

USAO SHSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,071 16,316
Admitted 603 13,809
Acceptance Rate 56.3% 84.6%
Enrolled % 36% 24.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.43 3.25
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 18/24
SAT Range 923/1138 960/1140
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 Sep 2, 2023 Aug 1, 2024

Academics

USAO SHSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
  • General Studies (12%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

USAO SHSU
Graduation Rate 39% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,100 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt N/A $21,500
Median Loan Payment N/A $222

Diversity

USAO SHSU
% Men 36% 36%
% Women 64% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 63% 53%
% Black 5% 19%
% Hispanic 7% 20%
% Native American 15% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 3%
% International 9% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

USAO SHSU
% In-State 90% 98%
% Out-of-State 3% 1%

Campus

USAO SHSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Sam Houston State University is larger than than USAO based on total student enrollment (21,480 students vs. 825 students)

USAO vs. SHSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USAO or SHSU?

  • University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is 13.2% more expensive to attend than SHSU for in-state tuition ($6,630.00 vs. $5,856.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13.9% higher at USAO than Sam Houston State University ($17,820.00 vs. $15,648.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma than SHSU ($8,390 vs. $13,632)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma are 55.8% lower than costs at Sam Houston State University ($7,000 vs. $10,908)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma than Sam Houston State University (92% vs. 73%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma students is 16.2% larger than aid received Sam Houston State University ($12,201 vs. $10,499)

USAO vs. SHSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (999) is 2 points higher than at SHSU (997)
  • Incoming USAO students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at SHSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman USAO students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at SHSU (3.25)
  • SHSU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than USAO (56.3%)

USAO vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, USAO or SHSU? 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 SHSU and USAO.

  • The graduation rate at SHSU is higher than University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (50% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn on average $11,700 more per year than USAO graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $36,100)
  • More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USAO students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/