Belhaven University vs. SHSU

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

 Belhaven University SHSU
Location Jackson, MS Huntsville, TX
Setting Midsize City Remote Town
Enrollment 3,627 21,480
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #760 #778
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website belhaven.edu shsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Belhaven University SHSU
Tuition (In State) $27,980 $5,856
Tuition (Out of State) $27,980 $15,648
Room & Board $9,100 $10,908
Avg Net Price $19,794 $13,632
Avg Grant Aid $17,067 $10,499
% Receiving Grant Aid 56% 73%

Admission

 Belhaven University SHSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,589 16,316
Admitted 1,103 13,809
Acceptance Rate 42.6% 84.6%
Enrolled % 23.8% 24.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.25
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 18/24
SAT Range 980/1200 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 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 Belhaven University SHSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (40%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (12%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
  • General Studies (12%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

 Belhaven University SHSU
Graduation Rate 48% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,900 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $28,402 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $293 $222

Diversity

 Belhaven University SHSU
% Men 32% 36%
% Women 68% 64%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 35% 53%
% Black 48% 19%
% Hispanic 4% 20%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 6% 2%

Students

 Belhaven University SHSU
% In-State 50% 98%
% Out-of-State 48% 1%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Sam Houston State University is larger than than Belhaven University based on total student enrollment (21,480 students vs. 3,627 students)

Belhaven University vs. SHSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Belhaven University or SHSU?

  • Belhaven University is 377.8% more expensive to attend than SHSU for in-state tuition ($27,980.00 vs. $5,856.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 78.8% higher at Belhaven University than Sam Houston State University ($27,980.00 vs. $15,648.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sam Houston State University than Belhaven University ($13,632 vs. $19,794)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Belhaven University are 19.9% lower than costs at Sam Houston State University ($9,100 vs. $10,908)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Sam Houston State University than Belhaven University (73% vs. 56%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Belhaven University students is 62.6% larger than aid received Sam Houston State University ($17,067 vs. $10,499)

Belhaven University vs. SHSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Accepted freshman Belhaven University students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at SHSU (3.25)
  • SHSU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Belhaven University (42.6%)

Belhaven University vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Belhaven 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 Belhaven University.

  • The graduation rate at SHSU is higher than Belhaven University (50% vs. 48%)
  • Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn on average $6,900 more per year than Belhaven University graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $40,900)
  • Sam Houston State University students graduate with a $6,902 lower median federal student loan debt than Belhaven University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $28,402)
  • SHSU graduates are paying $71 less per month on federal student loans than Belhaven University graduates. ($222 vs. $293)
  • More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Belhaven University students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 47%)

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