SHSU vs. AIU Houston

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

SHSU AIU Houston
Location Huntsville, TX Houston, TX
Setting Remote Town Large City
Enrollment 21,480 171
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #778
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit For-profit
Website shsu.edu aiuniv.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

SHSU AIU Houston
Tuition (In State) $5,856 $14,065
Tuition (Out of State) $15,648 $14,065
Room & Board $10,908 $6,867
Avg Net Price $13,632 $16,305
Avg Grant Aid $10,499 $8,321
% Receiving Grant Aid 73% 90%

Admission

SHSU AIU Houston
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 16,316 -
Admitted 13,809 -
Acceptance Rate 84.6%
Enrolled % 24.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.25 -
Typical High School Grades B -
Admissions Standards Very Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 960/1140
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

SHSU AIU Houston
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
  • General Studies (12%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (78%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)

Outcomes

SHSU AIU Houston
Graduation Rate 50% 14%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,800 $47,400
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 23%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $32,981
Median Loan Payment $222 $341

Diversity

SHSU AIU Houston
% Men 36% 37%
% Women 64% 63%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 53% 3%
% Black 19% 39%
% Hispanic 20% 12%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 3% 1%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 44%

Students

SHSU AIU Houston
% In-State 98% 92%
% Out-of-State 1% 0%

Campus

SHSU AIU Houston
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Sam Houston State University is larger than than AIU Houston based on total student enrollment (21,480 students vs. 171 students)

SHSU vs. AIU Houston Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHSU or AIU Houston?

  • American InterContinental University Houston is 140.2% more expensive to attend than SHSU for in-state tuition ($14,065.00 vs. $5,856.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 11.3% higher at SHSU than American InterContinental University Houston ($15,648.00 vs. $14,065.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sam Houston State University than AIU Houston ($13,632 vs. $16,305)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American InterContinental University Houston are 58.8% lower than costs at Sam Houston State University ($6,867 vs. $10,908)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at American InterContinental University Houston than Sam Houston State University (90% vs. 73%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sam Houston State University students is 26.2% larger than aid received American InterContinental University Houston ($10,499 vs. $8,321)

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

SHSU vs. AIU Houston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SHSU or AIU Houston? 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 AIU Houston and SHSU.

  • The graduation rate at SHSU is higher than American InterContinental University Houston (50% vs. 14%)
  • Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn on average $400 more per year than AIU Houston graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $47,400)
  • Sam Houston State University students graduate with a $11,481 lower median federal student loan debt than AIU Houston graduates. ($21,500 vs. $32,981)
  • SHSU graduates are paying $119 less per month on federal student loans than AIU Houston graduates. ($222 vs. $341)
  • More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AIU Houston students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 23%)

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