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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| Sam Houston State University | American InterContinental University Houston | College 3 | College 4 | |
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| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
SHSU | AIU Houston | ||
| Location | Huntsville, TX | Houston, TX | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Large City | ||
| Enrollment | 21,403 | 163 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #747 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | For-profit | ||
| Website | shsu.edu | aiuniv.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
SHSU | AIU Houston | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $5,856 | $14,182 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $15,648 | $14,182 | ||
| Room & Board | $11,720 | $8,057 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $14,556 | $18,558 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,941 | $6,999 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 65% | 67% |
Admission |
SHSU | AIU Houston | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 17,582 | - | ||
| Admitted | 15,014 | - | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 85.4% | |||
| Enrolled % | 24% | |||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.25 | - | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B | - | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Unavailable | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 19/25 | |||
| SAT Range | 940/1140 | |||
| Submit Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | |||
| Application Deadline | Aug 1, 2026 |
Academics |
SHSU | AIU Houston | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 20:1 | 15:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
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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 | 5% | 11% | ||
| % Women | 10% | 13% | ||
| 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 | 99% | 91% | ||
| % 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 (21,403 students vs. 163 students)
SHSU vs. AIU Houston Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, SHSU or AIU Houston?
- American InterContinental University Houston is 142.2% more expensive to attend than SHSU for in-state tuition ($14,182.00 vs. $5,856.00)
- Out of state tuition is 10.3% higher at SHSU than American InterContinental University Houston ($15,648.00 vs. $14,182.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sam Houston State University than AIU Houston ($14,556 vs. $18,558)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American InterContinental University Houston are 45.5% lower than costs at Sam Houston State University ($8,057 vs. $11,720)
- More students receive financial grant aid at American InterContinental University Houston than Sam Houston State University (67% vs. 65%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Sam Houston State University students is 42% larger than aid received American InterContinental University Houston ($9,941 vs. $6,999)
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/