Sacramento State vs. SHSU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Sacramento in Sacramento, 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 Sacramento is larger than SHSU based on total student enrollment (31,943 students vs. 21,039 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Sacramento is located in Sacramento, CA (Large City setting); Sam Houston State University is in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• California State University Sacramento 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 Sacramento 24:1; Sam Houston State University 19:1.

Sacramento State vs. SHSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sacramento State 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 Sacramento than SHSU ($10,110 vs. $14,737).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sam Houston State University are 38.9% lower than at California State University Sacramento ($11,720 vs. $19,174).
• Sam Houston State University is 15.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sacramento State (about $1,210 more per year; $9,228.00 vs. $8,018.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.1% higher at Sacramento State than at Sam Houston State University (about $1,550 more per year; $20,618.00 vs. $19,068.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Sacramento than at Sam Houston State University (82% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Sacramento students is 19.7% larger than aid received by Sam Houston State University students ($12,767 vs. $10,669).

Sacramento State vs. SHSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sacramento State 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 Sacramento State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Sacramento (1030) is the same as at SHSU (1030).
• Incoming Sacramento State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at SHSU (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 930/1130; Sam Houston State University 930/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 17/23; Sam Houston State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sacramento State - Test-free; SHSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026; SHSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Sacramento State students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at SHSU (3.25).
• Sacramento State has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than SHSU (90.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Sacramento State vs. 21.1% at SHSU.

Sacramento State vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sacramento State 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 Sacramento's (42%).
• Graduates from California State University Sacramento earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than SHSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $47,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Sacramento graduates have a $5,750 lower median loan debt than SHSU graduates ($15,750 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Sacramento State graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHSU graduates ($162 vs. $222).
• More Sacramento State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SHSU students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.