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Lamar University University of Houston-Downtown SFASU Tarleton Texas State UNT TAMUK Texas A&M UH A&M Commerce UTSA Texas Tech| Midwestern State University | Sam Houston State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
MSU | SHSU | ||
| Location | Wichita Falls, TX | Huntsville, TX | ||
| Setting | Midsize City | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 5,784 | 21,480 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #817 | #778 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | mwsu.edu | shsu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
MSU | SHSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $5,877 | $5,856 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $7,827 | $15,648 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,046 | $10,908 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $11,361 | $13,632 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $10,643 | $10,499 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 100% | 73% |
Admission |
MSU | SHSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 5,507 | 16,316 | ||
| Admitted | 5,090 | 13,809 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 92.4% | 84.6% | ||
| Enrolled % | 15.4% | 24.6% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.2 | 3.25 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Extremely Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 16/22 | 18/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 910/1100 | 960/1140 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2025 |
Academics |
MSU | SHSU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 20:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
MSU | SHSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 34% | 50% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $44,300 | $47,800 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 56% | 57% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $22,299 | $21,500 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $230 | $222 |
Diversity |
MSU | SHSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 36% | 36% | ||
| % Women | 64% | 64% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 52% | 53% | ||
| % Black | 14% | 19% | ||
| % Hispanic | 17% | 20% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 4% | 3% | ||
| % International | 9% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 1% | 2% |
Students |
MSU | SHSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 94% | 98% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 3% | 1% | ||
Campus |
MSU | SHSU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | 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 MSU based on total student enrollment (21,480 students vs. 5,784 students)
MSU vs. SHSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, MSU or SHSU?
- Midwestern State University is 0.4% more expensive to attend than SHSU for in-state tuition ($5,877.00 vs. $5,856.00)
- Out of state tuition is 99.9% higher at SHSU than Midwestern State University ($15,648.00 vs. $7,827.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Midwestern State University than SHSU ($11,361 vs. $13,632)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Midwestern State University are 8.6% lower than costs at Sam Houston State University ($10,046 vs. $10,908)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Midwestern State University than Sam Houston State University (100% vs. 73%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Midwestern State University students is 1.4% larger than aid received Sam Houston State University ($10,643 vs. $10,499)
MSU vs. SHSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, MSU or SHSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SHSU or MSU .
- The average SAT score at Midwestern State University (1002) is 5 points higher than at SHSU (997)
- Incoming MSU students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at SHSU (22)
- 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 (92.4%) than SHSU (84.6%)
MSU vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, MSU 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 MSU.
- The graduation rate at SHSU is higher than Midwestern State University (50% vs. 34%)
- Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn on average $3,500 more per year than MSU graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $44,300)
- Sam Houston State University students graduate with a $799 lower median federal student loan debt than MSU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $22,299)
- SHSU graduates are paying $8 less per month on federal student loans 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/