Howard Payne University vs. SHSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard Payne University in Brownwood, 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 Howard Payne University based on total student enrollment (21,039 students vs. 809 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard Payne University is located in Brownwood, TX (Remote Town setting); Sam Houston State University is in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• Howard Payne 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: Howard Payne University 10:1; Sam Houston State University 19:1.

Howard Payne University vs. SHSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard Payne 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 Howard Payne University ($14,737 vs. $25,750).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Howard Payne University are 13% lower than at Sam Houston State University ($10,200 vs. $11,720).
• Howard Payne University is 279.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than SHSU (about $25,754 more per year; $34,982.00 vs. $9,228.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 83.5% higher at Howard Payne University than at Sam Houston State University (about $15,914 more per year; $34,982.00 vs. $19,068.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard Payne University than at Sam Houston State University (91% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard Payne University students is 90.8% larger than aid received by Sam Houston State University students ($20,357 vs. $10,669).

Howard Payne University vs. SHSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard Payne 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 Howard Payne University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sam Houston State University (1030) is 10 points higher than at Howard Payne University (1020).
• Incoming Howard Payne University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at SHSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard Payne University 880/1160; Sam Houston State University 930/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard Payne University 16/27; Sam Houston State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard Payne University - Test optional; SHSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SHSU Aug 1, 2027.
• 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 (90.3%) than Howard Payne University (67.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27% at Howard Payne University vs. 21.1% at SHSU.

Howard Payne University vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard Payne 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 Howard Payne University's (46%).
• Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than Howard Payne University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sam Houston State University graduates have a $4,186 lower median loan debt than Howard Payne University graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,686).
• Among borrowers, SHSU graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.