HSU vs. SHSU

Deciding between Hardin Simmons University and Sam Houston State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Hardin Simmons University
Sam Houston State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • HSU Abilene, TX
  • SHSU Huntsville, TX
  • Setting
  • HSU Midsize City
  • SHSU Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • HSU 1,665
  • SHSU 21,039
  • Type
  • HSU Private 4 Year
  • SHSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • HSU #648
  • SHSU #794
  • Religious Affiliation
  • HSU Baptist
  • SHSU -
  • Status
  • HSU Non-profit
  • SHSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • HSU
  • SHSU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • HSU $32,960
  • SHSU $9,228
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • HSU $32,960
  • SHSU $19,068
  • Room & Board
  • HSU $11,500
  • SHSU $11,720
  • Average Net Price
  • HSU $19,811
  • SHSU $14,737
  • Average Grant Aid
  • HSU $26,095
  • SHSU $10,669
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • HSU 100%
  • SHSU 66%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • HSU 3,479
  • SHSU 17,179
  • Admitted
  • HSU 3,131
  • SHSU 15,506
  • Acceptance Rate
  • HSU 90%
  • SHSU 90.3%
  • Enrolled
  • HSU 12.2%
  • SHSU 21.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • HSU 1100
  • SHSU 1030
  • Typical ACT score
  • HSU 22
  • SHSU 20
  • Average High School GPA
  • HSU 3.43
  • SHSU 3.25
  • Typical High School Grades
  • HSU B+
  • SHSU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • HSU Easy
  • SHSU Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • HSU
  • SHSU
  • ACT Range
  • HSU 19/26
  • SHSU 17/24
  • SAT Range
  • HSU 1010/1190
  • SHSU 930/1120
  • Submit Test Scores
  • HSU Test optional
  • SHSU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • HSU
  • SHSU Aug 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • HSU 15:1
  • SHSU 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • HSU
    • Business (17%)
    • Education (13%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • SHSU
    • Business (27%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
    • General Studies (12%)
    • Psychology (6%)
    • Communication (5%)

  • Outcomes

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

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • HSU 46%
  • SHSU 37%
  • % Women
  • HSU 54%
  • SHSU 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • HSU Medium
  • SHSU High
  • HBCU
  • HSU No
  • SHSU No
  • % White
  • HSU 71%
  • SHSU 53%
  • % Asian
  • HSU 1%
  • SHSU 1%
  • % Black
  • HSU 6%
  • SHSU 19%
  • % Hispanic
  • HSU 15%
  • SHSU 20%
  • % Native American
  • HSU 0%
  • SHSU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • HSU 0%
  • SHSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • HSU 4%
  • SHSU 3%
  • % International
  • HSU 1%
  • SHSU 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • HSU 1%
  • SHSU 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • HSU 92%
  • SHSU 98%
  • % Out-of-State
  • HSU 5%
  • SHSU 1%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • HSU Yes
  • SHSU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • HSU No
  • SHSU No
  • Meal Plan
  • HSU Yes
  • SHSU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • HSU No
  • SHSU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • HSU No
  • SHSU No

Comparable Facts

Compare Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, TX 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 HSU based on total student enrollment (21,039 students vs. 1,665 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Hardin Simmons University is located in Abilene, TX (Midsize City setting); Sam Houston State University is in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting).
  • Hardin Simmons University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Sam Houston State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Hardin Simmons University 15:1; Sam Houston State University 19:1.

HSU vs. SHSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HSU 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 HSU ($14,737 vs. $19,811).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hardin Simmons University are 1.9% lower than at Sam Houston State University ($11,500 vs. $11,720).
  • Hardin Simmons University is 257.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SHSU (about $23,732 more per year; $32,960.00 vs. $9,228.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 72.9% higher at HSU than at Sam Houston State University (about $13,892 more per year; $32,960.00 vs. $19,068.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hardin Simmons University than at Sam Houston State University (100% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Hardin Simmons University students is 144.6% larger than aid received by Sam Houston State University students ($26,095 vs. $10,669).

HSU vs. SHSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HSU 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 HSU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hardin Simmons University (1100) is 70 points higher than at SHSU (1030).
  • Incoming HSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at SHSU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hardin Simmons University 1010/1190; Sam Houston State University 930/1120.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hardin Simmons University 19/26; Sam Houston State University 17/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HSU - Test optional; SHSU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SHSU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman HSU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at SHSU (3.25).
  • SHSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than HSU (90%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at HSU vs. 21.1% at SHSU.

HSU vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HSU 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 Hardin Simmons University's (47%).
  • Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than HSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $46,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Sam Houston State University graduates have a $4,489 lower median loan debt than HSU graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,989).
  • Among borrowers, SHSU graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.