Abilene Christian University vs. SHSU

Should I go to Abilene Christian University or Sam Houston State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Abilene Christian University 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.
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Abilene Christian University vs. Sam Houston State University comparison
Abilene Christian University Sam Houston State University College 3 College 4
Abilene Christian University Sam Houston State University
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Overview

 Abilene Christian University SHSU
Location Abilene, TX Huntsville, TX
Setting Midsize City Remote Town
Enrollment 5,114 21,403
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #459 #747
Religious Affiliation Churches of Christ - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website acu.edu shsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Abilene Christian University SHSU
Tuition (In State) $42,100 $5,856
Tuition (Out of State) $42,100 $15,648
Room & Board $12,500 $11,720
Avg Net Price $28,311 $14,556
Avg Grant Aid $27,914 $9,941
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 65%

Admission

 Abilene Christian University SHSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,510 17,582
Admitted 6,714 15,014
Acceptance Rate 63.9% 85.4%
Enrolled % 12.8% 24%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.25
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Challenging Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 22/28 19/25
SAT Range 1060/1290 940/1140
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 Feb 15, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

 Abilene Christian University SHSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
  • General Studies (12%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

 Abilene Christian University SHSU
Graduation Rate 60% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,325 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $261 $222

Diversity

 Abilene Christian University SHSU
% Men 10% 5%
% Women 28% 10%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 64% 53%
% Black 9% 19%
% Hispanic 16% 20%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 0% 2%

Students

 Abilene Christian University SHSU
% In-State 82% 99%
% Out-of-State 15% 1%

Campus

 Abilene Christian University 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 Abilene Christian University based on total student enrollment (21,403 students vs. 5,114 students)

Abilene Christian University vs. SHSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Abilene Christian University or SHSU?

  • Abilene Christian University is 618.9% more expensive to attend than SHSU for in-state tuition ($42,100.00 vs. $5,856.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 169% higher at Abilene Christian University than Sam Houston State University ($42,100.00 vs. $15,648.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sam Houston State University than Abilene Christian University ($14,556 vs. $28,311)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sam Houston State University are 6.7% lower than costs at Abilene Christian University ($11,720 vs. $12,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Abilene Christian University than Sam Houston State University (100% vs. 65%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Abilene Christian University students is 180.8% larger than aid received Sam Houston State University ($27,914 vs. $9,941)

Abilene Christian University vs. SHSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Abilene Christian University (1092) is 95 points higher than at SHSU (997)
  • Incoming Abilene Christian University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at SHSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Abilene Christian University students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at SHSU (3.25)
  • SHSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.4%) than Abilene Christian University (63.9%)

Abilene Christian University vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Abilene Christian University 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 Abilene Christian University.

  • The graduation rate at Abilene Christian University is higher than Sam Houston State University (60% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn on average $1,800 more per year than Abilene Christian University graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $46,000)
  • Sam Houston State University students graduate with a $3,825 lower median federal student loan debt than Abilene Christian University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $25,325)
  • SHSU graduates are paying $39 less per month on federal student loans than Abilene Christian University graduates. ($222 vs. $261)
  • More Abilene Christian University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SHSU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 57%)

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