SHSU vs. South Texas College

Comparable Facts

Compare Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX with South Texas College in McAllen, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

South Texas College is larger than SHSU based on total student enrollment (27,431 students vs. 21,039 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sam Houston State University is located in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting); South Texas College is in McAllen, TX (Midsize City setting).
• Sam Houston State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Texas College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sam Houston State University 19:1; South Texas College 22:1.

SHSU vs. South Texas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHSU or South Texas College? 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 South Texas College than SHSU ($1,844 vs. $14,737).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Texas College are 26.3% lower than at Sam Houston State University ($8,638 vs. $11,720).
• Sam Houston State University is 76.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Texas College (about $4,008 more per year; $9,228.00 vs. $5,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 150.2% higher at SHSU than at South Texas College (about $11,448 more per year; $19,068.00 vs. $7,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Texas College than at Sam Houston State University (86% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sam Houston State University students is 41.4% larger than aid received by South Texas College students ($10,669 vs. $7,547).

SHSU vs. South Texas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SHSU or South Texas College? 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 South Texas College and SHSU.

• South Texas College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sam Houston State University 930/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sam Houston State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SHSU - Test optional; South Texas College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: SHSU Aug 1, 2027; South Texas College Jun 18, 2027.

SHSU vs. South Texas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHSU and South Texas College? 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).

• Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn a median of about $13,600 more per year than South Texas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $34,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.

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.