HSU vs. SHSU

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

 HSU SHSU
Location Abilene, TX Huntsville, TX
Setting Midsize City Remote Town
Enrollment 1,765 21,480
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #741 #778
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website hsutx.edu shsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 HSU SHSU
Tuition (In State) $30,694 $5,856
Tuition (Out of State) $30,694 $15,648
Room & Board $9,980 $10,908
Avg Net Price $22,636 $13,632
Avg Grant Aid $22,695 $10,499
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 73%

Admission

 HSU SHSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,314 16,316
Admitted 2,042 13,809
Acceptance Rate 88.2% 84.6%
Enrolled % 17.1% 24.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.43 3.25
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 18/24
SAT Range 1010/1198 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

 HSU SHSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
  • General Studies (12%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

 HSU SHSU
Graduation Rate 47% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,600 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,989 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $268 $222

Diversity

 HSU SHSU
% Men 44% 36%
% Women 56% 64%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 71% 53%
% Black 6% 19%
% Hispanic 15% 20%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 3%
% International 1% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

 HSU SHSU
% In-State 96% 98%
% Out-of-State 3% 1%

Campus

 HSU 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 HSU based on total student enrollment (21,480 students vs. 1,765 students)

HSU vs. SHSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HSU or SHSU?

  • Hardin Simmons University is 424.1% more expensive to attend than SHSU for in-state tuition ($30,694.00 vs. $5,856.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 96.2% higher at HSU than Sam Houston State University ($30,694.00 vs. $15,648.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sam Houston State University than HSU ($13,632 vs. $22,636)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hardin Simmons University are 9.3% lower than costs at Sam Houston State University ($9,980 vs. $10,908)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Hardin Simmons University than Sam Houston State University (100% vs. 73%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Hardin Simmons University students is 116.2% larger than aid received Sam Houston State University ($22,695 vs. $10,499)

HSU vs. SHSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Hardin Simmons University (1030) is 33 points higher than at SHSU (997)
  • Incoming HSU students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at SHSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman HSU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at SHSU (3.25)
  • HSU has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than SHSU (84.6%)

HSU vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, HSU 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 HSU.

  • The graduation rate at SHSU is higher than Hardin Simmons University (50% vs. 47%)
  • Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn on average $1,200 more per year than HSU graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $46,600)
  • Sam Houston State University students graduate with a $4,489 lower median federal student loan debt than HSU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $25,989)
  • SHSU graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than HSU graduates. ($222 vs. $268)
  • More HSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SHSU students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 57%)

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