Henderson State University vs. SHSU

Deciding between Henderson State 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.

Henderson State University
Sam Houston State University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Henderson State University Arkadelphia, AR
  • SHSU Huntsville, TX
  • Setting
  • Henderson State University Distant Town
  • SHSU Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Henderson State University 2,055
  • SHSU 21,039
  • Type
  • Henderson State University Public 4 Year
  • SHSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Henderson State University #1024
  • SHSU #794
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Henderson State University -
  • SHSU -
  • Status
  • Henderson State University Non-profit
  • SHSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Henderson State University
  • SHSU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Henderson State University $8,244
  • SHSU $9,228
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Henderson State University $10,620
  • SHSU $19,068
  • Room & Board
  • Henderson State University $10,000
  • SHSU $11,720
  • Average Net Price
  • Henderson State University $20,444
  • SHSU $14,737
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Henderson State University $7,867
  • SHSU $10,669
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Henderson State University 98%
  • SHSU 66%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Henderson State University -
  • SHSU 17,179
  • Admitted
  • Henderson State University -
  • SHSU 15,506
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Henderson State University
  • SHSU 90.3%
  • Enrolled
  • Henderson State University
  • SHSU 21.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Henderson State University 990
  • SHSU 1030
  • Typical ACT score
  • Henderson State University 18
  • SHSU 20
  • Average High School GPA
  • Henderson State University 3.23
  • SHSU 3.25
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Henderson State University B+
  • SHSU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Henderson State University Extremely Easy
  • SHSU Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Henderson State University
  • SHSU
  • ACT Range
  • Henderson State University 16/21
  • SHSU 17/24
  • SAT Range
  • Henderson State University 903/1073
  • SHSU 930/1120
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Henderson State University Not reported
  • SHSU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Henderson State University Jul 15, 2027
  • SHSU Aug 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Henderson State University 14:1
  • SHSU 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Henderson State University
    • Education (19%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • SHSU
    • Business (27%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
    • General Studies (12%)
    • Psychology (6%)
    • Communication (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Henderson State University 31%
  • SHSU 50%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Henderson State University $38,400
  • SHSU $47,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Henderson State University 48%
  • SHSU 57%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Henderson State University $19,500
  • SHSU $21,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Henderson State University $201
  • SHSU $222

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Henderson State University 41%
  • SHSU 37%
  • % Women
  • Henderson State University 59%
  • SHSU 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Henderson State University Medium
  • SHSU High
  • HBCU
  • Henderson State University No
  • SHSU No
  • % White
  • Henderson State University 66%
  • SHSU 53%
  • % Asian
  • Henderson State University 1%
  • SHSU 1%
  • % Black
  • Henderson State University 24%
  • SHSU 19%
  • % Hispanic
  • Henderson State University 4%
  • SHSU 20%
  • % Native American
  • Henderson State University 0%
  • SHSU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Henderson State University 0%
  • SHSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Henderson State University 4%
  • SHSU 3%
  • % International
  • Henderson State University 1%
  • SHSU 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Henderson State University 0%
  • SHSU 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Henderson State University 74%
  • SHSU 98%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Henderson State University 23%
  • SHSU 1%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR 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 Henderson State University based on total student enrollment (21,039 students vs. 2,055 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Henderson State University is located in Arkadelphia, AR (Distant Town setting); Sam Houston State University is in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting).
  • Henderson 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: Henderson State University 14:1; Sam Houston State University 19:1.

Henderson State University vs. SHSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Henderson State University 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 Henderson State University ($14,737 vs. $20,444).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Henderson State University are 14.7% lower than at Sam Houston State University ($10,000 vs. $11,720).
  • Sam Houston State University is 11.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Henderson State University (about $984 more per year; $9,228.00 vs. $8,244.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 79.5% higher at SHSU than at Henderson State University (about $8,448 more per year; $19,068.00 vs. $10,620.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Henderson State University than at Sam Houston State University (98% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sam Houston State University students is 35.6% larger than aid received by Henderson State University students ($10,669 vs. $7,867).

Henderson State University vs. SHSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Henderson State University 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 Henderson State University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sam Houston State University (1030) is 40 points higher than at Henderson State University (990).
  • Incoming SHSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at Henderson State University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Henderson State University 903/1073; Sam Houston State University 930/1120.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Henderson State University 16/21; Sam Houston State University 17/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Henderson State University - Not reported; SHSU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Henderson State University Jul 15, 2027; SHSU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman SHSU students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.25) than students at Henderson State University (3.23).

Henderson State University vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Henderson State University 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 Henderson State University's (31%).
  • Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Henderson State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Henderson State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than SHSU graduates ($19,500 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, Henderson State University graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHSU graduates ($201 vs. $222).
  • More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Henderson State University students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 48%)

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.