HBU vs. SFASU

Comparable Facts

Compare Houston Christian University in Houston, TX with Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stephen F Austin State University is larger than HBU based on total student enrollment (10,472 students vs. 4,276 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Houston Christian University is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Stephen F Austin State University is in Nacogdoches, TX (Rural Fringe setting).
• Houston Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephen F Austin State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Houston Christian University 18:1; Stephen F Austin State University 16:1.

HBU vs. SFASU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HBU or SFASU? 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 Stephen F Austin State University than HBU ($14,959 vs. $21,282).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Houston Christian University are 1.6% lower than at Stephen F Austin State University ($12,928 vs. $13,144).
• Houston Christian University is 254.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than SFASU (about $28,302 more per year; $39,430.00 vs. $11,128.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.3% higher at HBU than at Stephen F Austin State University (about $16,004 more per year; $39,430.00 vs. $23,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Houston Christian University than at Stephen F Austin State University (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Houston Christian University students is 170% larger than aid received by Stephen F Austin State University students ($28,870 vs. $10,694).

HBU vs. SFASU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HBU or SFASU? 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 SFASU and HBU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Houston Christian University (1090) is 20 points higher than at SFASU (1070).
• Incoming SFASU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at HBU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houston Christian University 990/1190; Stephen F Austin State University 970/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Houston Christian University 17/24; Stephen F Austin State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HBU - Test optional; SFASU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman HBU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at SFASU (3.26).
• SFASU has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than HBU (84.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.5% at HBU vs. 17.1% at SFASU.

HBU vs. SFASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HBU and SFASU? 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).

• Houston Christian University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Stephen F Austin State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Houston Christian University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than SFASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,600 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Houston Christian University graduates have a $834 lower median loan debt than SFASU graduates ($24,166 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, HBU graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SFASU graduates ($249 vs. $258).
• More HBU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SFASU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 52%)

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.