University of St Thomas vs. SHSU

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

University of St Thomas
Sam Houston State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: University of St Thomas (89.9% admitted vs 90.3%). Typical SAT 1100 vs 1030.
  • Cheaper after aid: SHSU. Average net price is $14,737 vs $20,599 at University of St Thomas.
  • Graduation: University of St Thomas 44% vs SHSU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: University of St Thomas $57,200 vs SHSU $47,800 (median).
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Key differences

University of St Thomas Sam Houston State University
Acceptance rate
University of St Thomas more selective
University of St Thomas89.9%
SHSU90.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
University of St Thomas higher
University of St Thomas980-1210
SHSU930-1120
Average net price
SHSU $5,862 less
University of St Thomas$20,599
SHSU$14,737
In-state tuition
SHSU $25,406 less
University of St Thomas$34,634
SHSU$9,228
Out-of-state tuition
SHSU $15,566 less
University of St Thomas$34,634
SHSU$19,068
Graduation rate
SHSU +6 pts
University of St Thomas44%
SHSU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
University of St Thomas +$9,400
University of St Thomas$57,200
SHSU$47,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • University of St Thomas 2,878
  • SHSU 17,179
  • Admitted
  • University of St Thomas 2,588
  • SHSU 15,506
  • Acceptance rate
  • University of St Thomas 89.9%
  • SHSU 90.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • University of St Thomas 29.7%
  • SHSU 21.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • University of St Thomas 1100
  • SHSU 1030
  • Typical ACT score
  • University of St Thomas 21
  • SHSU 20
  • Average high school GPA
  • University of St Thomas 3.53
  • SHSU 3.25
  • Typical high school grades
  • University of St Thomas A-
  • SHSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • University of St Thomas Easy
  • SHSU Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • University of St Thomas
  • SHSU
  • SAT range
  • University of St Thomas 980-1210
  • SHSU 930-1120
  • ACT range
  • University of St Thomas 18-25
  • SHSU 17-24
  • Submit test scores
  • University of St Thomas Test optional
  • SHSU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • University of St Thomas Aug 15, 2027
  • SHSU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • University of St Thomas $34,634
  • SHSU $9,228
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • University of St Thomas $34,634
  • SHSU $19,068
  • Room & board
  • University of St Thomas $10,840
  • SHSU $11,720
  • Average net price
  • University of St Thomas $20,599
  • SHSU $14,737
  • Average grant aid
  • University of St Thomas $24,902
  • SHSU $10,669
  • % receiving grant aid
  • University of St Thomas 93%
  • SHSU 66%
  • Graduation rate
  • University of St Thomas 44%
  • SHSU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • University of St Thomas $57,200
  • SHSU $47,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • University of St Thomas 59%
  • SHSU 57%
  • Median student loan debt
  • University of St Thomas $22,000
  • SHSU $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • University of St Thomas $227
  • SHSU $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • University of St Thomas 16:1
  • SHSU 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • University of St Thomas
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Psychology (9%)
  • SHSU
    • Business (27%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
    • General Studies (12%)
    • Psychology (6%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • Location
  • University of St Thomas Houston, TX
  • SHSU Huntsville, TX
  • Setting
  • University of St Thomas Large City
  • SHSU Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • University of St Thomas 4,301
  • SHSU 21,039
  • Type
  • University of St Thomas Private 4 Year
  • SHSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • University of St Thomas #613
  • SHSU #794

Comparable Facts

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

Sam Houston State University is larger than University of St Thomas based on total student enrollment (21,039 students vs. 4,301 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of St Thomas is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Sam Houston State University is in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting).
  • University of St Thomas is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sam Houston State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of St Thomas 16:1; Sam Houston State University 19:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of St Thomas are 7.5% lower than at Sam Houston State University ($10,840 vs. $11,720).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 81.6% higher at University of St Thomas than at Sam Houston State University (about $15,566 more per year; $34,634 vs. $19,068).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of St Thomas than at Sam Houston State University (93% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of St Thomas students is 133.4% larger than aid received by Sam Houston State University students ($24,902 vs. $10,669).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at University of St Thomas than at SHSU (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both University of St Thomas and SHSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: University of St Thomas Aug 15, 2027; SHSU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at University of St Thomas average a 3.53 high school GPA, 0.28 higher than at SHSU (3.25).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.7% at University of St Thomas vs. 21.1% at SHSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Sam Houston State University graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than University of St Thomas graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,000).
  • Among borrowers, SHSU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of St Thomas graduates ($222 vs. $227).
  • More University of St Thomas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SHSU students, three years after graduation (59% vs. 57%).

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

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