GSU- Grambling vs. SHSU

Comparable Facts

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

Sam Houston State University is larger than GSU- Grambling based on total student enrollment (21,039 students vs. 5,150 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Grambling State University is located in Grambling, LA (Rural Fringe setting); Sam Houston State University is in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• Grambling State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sam Houston State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Grambling State University 25:1; Sam Houston State University 19:1.

GSU- Grambling vs. SHSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSU- Grambling 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 Sam Houston State University than GSU- Grambling ($14,737 vs. $17,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grambling State University are 6.2% lower than at Sam Houston State University ($10,990 vs. $11,720).
• Sam Houston State University is 20.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSU- Grambling (about $1,545 more per year; $9,228.00 vs. $7,683.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.1% higher at SHSU than at Grambling State University (about $2,362 more per year; $19,068.00 vs. $16,706.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grambling State University than at Sam Houston State University (95% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sam Houston State University students is 20.3% larger than aid received by Grambling State University students ($10,669 vs. $8,870).

GSU- Grambling vs. SHSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSU- Grambling 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 GSU- Grambling.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sam Houston State University (1030) is 30 points higher than at GSU- Grambling (1000).
• Incoming SHSU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at GSU- Grambling).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grambling State University 920/1080; Sam Houston State University 930/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grambling State University 15/19; Sam Houston State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSU- Grambling - Required; SHSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SHSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SHSU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.25) than students at GSU- Grambling (3.01).
• SHSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than GSU- Grambling (44.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at GSU- Grambling vs. 21.1% at SHSU.

GSU- Grambling vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSU- Grambling 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 Grambling State University's (27%).
• Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn a median of about $15,400 more per year than GSU- Grambling graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $32,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sam Houston State University graduates have a $16,497 lower median loan debt than GSU- Grambling graduates ($21,500 vs. $37,997).
• Among borrowers, SHSU graduates have an estimated $170 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GSU- Grambling graduates ($222 vs. $392).
• More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU- Grambling students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 23%)

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.