California State University-Fresno vs. SHSU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fresno in Fresno, CA with Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Fresno is larger than SHSU based on total student enrollment (24,427 students vs. 21,039 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fresno is located in Fresno, CA (Large City setting); Sam Houston State University is in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• California State University Fresno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sam Houston State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fresno 22:1; Sam Houston State University 19:1.

California State University-Fresno vs. SHSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Fresno or SHSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Fresno than SHSU ($7,834 vs. $14,737).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sam Houston State University are 2% lower than at California State University Fresno ($11,720 vs. $11,960).
• Sam Houston State University is 25.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Fresno (about $1,878 more per year; $9,228.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.6% higher at California State University-Fresno than at Sam Houston State University (about $882 more per year; $19,950.00 vs. $19,068.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fresno than at Sam Houston State University (85% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Fresno students is 15.5% larger than aid received by Sam Houston State University students ($12,326 vs. $10,669).

California State University-Fresno vs. SHSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-Fresno or SHSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SHSU and California State University-Fresno.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sam Houston State University (1030) is 30 points higher than at California State University-Fresno (1000).
• Incoming SHSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at California State University-Fresno).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fresno 890/1100; Sam Houston State University 930/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fresno 16/21; Sam Houston State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-Fresno - Test-free; SHSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026; SHSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SHSU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.25) than students at California State University-Fresno (3.12).
• California State University-Fresno has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than SHSU (90.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at California State University-Fresno vs. 21.1% at SHSU.

California State University-Fresno vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Fresno and SHSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Sam Houston State University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than California State University Fresno's (49%).
• Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than California State University-Fresno graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fresno graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than SHSU graduates ($15,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Fresno graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHSU graduates ($155 vs. $222).
• More California State University-Fresno graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SHSU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.