Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
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 | Mid America Christian University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
SHSU | MACU | ||
| Location | Huntsville, TX | Oklahoma City, OK | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Large City | ||
| Enrollment | 21,480 | 2,442 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Private 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #778 | |||
| Religious Affiliation | - | Church of God | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | shsu.edu | macu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
SHSU | MACU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $5,856 | $17,568 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $15,648 | $17,568 | ||
| Room & Board | $10,908 | $8,632 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $13,632 | $16,105 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $10,499 | $12,967 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 73% | 91% |
Admission |
SHSU | MACU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 16,316 | - | ||
| Admitted | 13,809 | - | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 84.6% | Open | ||
| Enrolled % | 24.6% | Open | ||
| 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 | MACU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 20:1 | 13:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
SHSU | MACU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 50% | 23% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $47,800 | $45,000 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 57% | 37% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $21,500 | $27,438 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $222 | $283 |
Diversity |
SHSU | MACU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 36% | 36% | ||
| % Women | 64% | 64% | ||
| Racial Diversity | High | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 53% | 54% | ||
| % Black | 19% | 26% | ||
| % Hispanic | 20% | 8% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 3% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 3% | 4% | ||
| % International | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 2% | 2% |
Students |
SHSU | MACU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 98% | 69% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 1% | 17% | ||
Campus |
SHSU | MACU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Sam Houston State University is larger than than MACU based on total student enrollment (21,480 students vs. 2,442 students)
SHSU vs. MACU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, SHSU or MACU?
- Mid America Christian University is 200% more expensive to attend than SHSU for in-state tuition ($17,568.00 vs. $5,856.00)
- Out of state tuition is 12.3% higher at MACU than Sam Houston State University ($17,568.00 vs. $15,648.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sam Houston State University than MACU ($13,632 vs. $16,105)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mid America Christian University are 26.4% lower than costs at Sam Houston State University ($8,632 vs. $10,908)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Mid America Christian University than Sam Houston State University (91% vs. 73%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Mid America Christian University students is 23.5% larger than aid received Sam Houston State University ($12,967 vs. $10,499)
Which college is harder to get into, SHSU or MACU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between MACU or SHSU .
SHSU vs. MACU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, SHSU or MACU? 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 MACU and SHSU.
- The graduation rate at SHSU is higher than Mid America Christian University (50% vs. 23%)
- Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn on average $2,800 more per year than MACU graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $45,000)
- Sam Houston State University students graduate with a $5,938 lower median federal student loan debt than MACU graduates. ($21,500 vs. $27,438)
- SHSU graduates are paying $61 less per month on federal student loans than MACU graduates. ($222 vs. $283)
- More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MACU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 37%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/