MSU vs. SHSU

Deciding between Midwestern 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.

Midwestern State University
Sam Houston State University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • MSU Wichita Falls, TX
  • SHSU Huntsville, TX
  • Setting
  • MSU Midsize City
  • SHSU Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • MSU 5,324
  • SHSU 21,039
  • Type
  • MSU Public 4 Year
  • SHSU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • MSU #878
  • SHSU #794
  • Religious Affiliation
  • MSU -
  • SHSU -
  • Status
  • MSU Non-profit
  • SHSU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • MSU
  • SHSU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • MSU $10,580
  • SHSU $9,228
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • MSU $12,530
  • SHSU $19,068
  • Room & Board
  • MSU $11,124
  • SHSU $11,720
  • Average Net Price
  • MSU $11,215
  • SHSU $14,737
  • Average Grant Aid
  • MSU $11,037
  • SHSU $10,669
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • MSU 92%
  • SHSU 66%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • MSU 7,803
  • SHSU 17,179
  • Admitted
  • MSU 7,297
  • SHSU 15,506
  • Acceptance Rate
  • MSU 93.5%
  • SHSU 90.3%
  • Enrolled
  • MSU 12.9%
  • SHSU 21.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • MSU 1010
  • SHSU 1030
  • Typical ACT score
  • MSU 19
  • SHSU 20
  • Average High School GPA
  • MSU 3.2
  • SHSU 3.25
  • Typical High School Grades
  • MSU B+
  • SHSU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • MSU Extremely Easy
  • SHSU Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • MSU
  • SHSU
  • ACT Range
  • MSU 16/22
  • SHSU 17/24
  • SAT Range
  • MSU 910/1100
  • SHSU 930/1120
  • Submit Test Scores
  • MSU Test-free
  • SHSU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • MSU
  • SHSU Aug 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • MSU 18:1
  • SHSU 19:1
  • Popular Majors
  • MSU
    • Health Professions (32%)
    • Business (22%)
    • General Studies (15%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (3%)
  • SHSU
    • Business (27%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
    • General Studies (12%)
    • Psychology (6%)
    • Communication (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • MSU 34%
  • SHSU 50%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • MSU $44,300
  • SHSU $47,800
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • MSU 56%
  • SHSU 57%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • MSU $22,299
  • SHSU $21,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • MSU $230
  • SHSU $222

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • MSU 36%
  • SHSU 37%
  • % Women
  • MSU 64%
  • SHSU 63%
  • Racial Diversity
  • MSU High
  • SHSU High
  • HBCU
  • MSU No
  • SHSU No
  • % White
  • MSU 52%
  • SHSU 53%
  • % Asian
  • MSU 3%
  • SHSU 1%
  • % Black
  • MSU 14%
  • SHSU 19%
  • % Hispanic
  • MSU 17%
  • SHSU 20%
  • % Native American
  • MSU 1%
  • SHSU 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • MSU 0%
  • SHSU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • MSU 4%
  • SHSU 3%
  • % International
  • MSU 9%
  • SHSU 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • MSU 1%
  • SHSU 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • MSU 87%
  • SHSU 98%
  • % Out-of-State
  • MSU 3%
  • SHSU 1%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, 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 MSU based on total student enrollment (21,039 students vs. 5,324 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Midwestern State University is located in Wichita Falls, TX (Midsize City setting); Sam Houston State University is in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting).
  • Midwestern 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: Midwestern State University 18:1; Sam Houston State University 19:1.

MSU vs. SHSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU 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 Midwestern State University than SHSU ($11,215 vs. $14,737).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Midwestern State University are 5.1% lower than at Sam Houston State University ($11,124 vs. $11,720).
  • Midwestern State University is 14.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SHSU (about $1,352 more per year; $10,580.00 vs. $9,228.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 52.2% higher at SHSU than at Midwestern State University (about $6,538 more per year; $19,068.00 vs. $12,530.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Midwestern State University than at Sam Houston State University (92% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Midwestern State University students is 3.4% larger than aid received by Sam Houston State University students ($11,037 vs. $10,669).

MSU vs. SHSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSU 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 MSU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sam Houston State University (1030) is 20 points higher than at MSU (1010).
  • Incoming SHSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at MSU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Midwestern State University 910/1100; Sam Houston State University 930/1120.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Midwestern State University 16/22; Sam Houston State University 17/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU - Test-free; SHSU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SHSU Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman SHSU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.25) than students at MSU (3.2).
  • MSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than SHSU (90.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at MSU vs. 21.1% at SHSU.

MSU vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU 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 Midwestern State University's (34%).
  • Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than MSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Sam Houston State University graduates have a $799 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,299).
  • Among borrowers, SHSU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($222 vs. $230).
  • More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 56%)

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.