Howard Payne University vs. SHSU

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

Howard Payne University SHSU
Location Brownwood, TX Huntsville, TX
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 838 21,480
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #778
Religious Affiliation Baptist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website hputx.edu shsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Howard Payne University SHSU
Tuition (In State) $27,850 $5,856
Tuition (Out of State) $27,850 $15,648
Room & Board $9,616 $10,908
Avg Net Price $24,117 $13,632
Avg Grant Aid $18,817 $10,499
% Receiving Grant Aid 88% 73%

Admission

Howard Payne University SHSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,233 16,316
Admitted 768 13,809
Acceptance Rate 62.3% 84.6%
Enrolled % 28.1% 24.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.25
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/22 18/24
SAT Range 920/1130 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

Howard Payne University SHSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (15%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Social Sciences (6%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
  • General Studies (12%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Howard Payne University SHSU
Graduation Rate 46% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,300 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,686 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $265 $222

Diversity

Howard Payne University SHSU
% Men 55% 36%
% Women 45% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 61% 53%
% Black 9% 19%
% Hispanic 22% 20%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

Howard Payne University SHSU
% In-State 98% 98%
% Out-of-State 2% 1%

Campus

Howard Payne University SHSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required Yes 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 Howard Payne University based on total student enrollment (21,480 students vs. 838 students)

Howard Payne University vs. SHSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard Payne University or SHSU?

  • Howard Payne University is 375.6% more expensive to attend than SHSU for in-state tuition ($27,850.00 vs. $5,856.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 78% higher at Howard Payne University than Sam Houston State University ($27,850.00 vs. $15,648.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sam Houston State University than Howard Payne University ($13,632 vs. $24,117)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Howard Payne University are 13.4% lower than costs at Sam Houston State University ($9,616 vs. $10,908)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Howard Payne University than Sam Houston State University (88% vs. 73%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Howard Payne University students is 79.2% larger than aid received Sam Houston State University ($18,817 vs. $10,499)

Howard Payne University vs. SHSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Sam Houston State University (997) is 32 points higher than at Howard Payne University (965)
  • Incoming SHSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Howard Payne University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Howard Payne University students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at SHSU (3.25)
  • SHSU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Howard Payne University (62.3%)

Howard Payne University vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Howard Payne University 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 Howard Payne University.

  • The graduation rate at SHSU is higher than Howard Payne University (50% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn on average $7,500 more per year than Howard Payne University graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $40,300)
  • Sam Houston State University students graduate with a $4,186 lower median federal student loan debt than Howard Payne University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $25,686)
  • SHSU graduates are paying $43 less per month on federal student loans than Howard Payne University graduates. ($222 vs. $265)
  • More Howard Payne University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SHSU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 57%)

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