SHSU vs. Sul Ross State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX with Sul Ross State University in Alpine, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sam Houston State University is larger than Sul Ross State University based on total student enrollment (21,039 students vs. 2,384 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sam Houston State University is located in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting); Sul Ross State University is in Alpine, TX (Remote Town setting).
• Sam Houston State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sul Ross State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sam Houston State University 19:1; Sul Ross State University 11:1.

SHSU vs. Sul Ross State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHSU or Sul Ross State University? 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 Sul Ross State University than SHSU ($14,454 vs. $14,737).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sul Ross State University are 7.1% lower than at Sam Houston State University ($10,892 vs. $11,720).
• Sam Houston State University is 21.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Sul Ross State University (about $1,636 more per year; $9,228.00 vs. $7,592.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.9% higher at SHSU than at Sul Ross State University (about $1,396 more per year; $19,068.00 vs. $17,672.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Sul Ross State University than at Sam Houston State University (77% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Sul Ross State University students is 1% larger than aid received by Sam Houston State University students ($10,781 vs. $10,669).

SHSU vs. Sul Ross State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SHSU or Sul Ross State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Sul Ross State University and SHSU.

• Sul Ross State University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Sam Houston State University (1030) is 10 points higher than at Sul Ross State University (1020).
• Incoming SHSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (20 vs. 19 at Sul Ross State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Sam Houston State University 930/1120; Sul Ross State University 930/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Sam Houston State University 17/24; Sul Ross State University 15/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SHSU - Test optional; Sul Ross State University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: SHSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Sul Ross State University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at SHSU (3.25).
• Sul Ross State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than SHSU (90.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at SHSU vs. 18.3% at Sul Ross State University.

SHSU vs. Sul Ross State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHSU and Sul Ross State University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Sam Houston State University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Sul Ross State University's (24%).
• Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than Sul Ross State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $40,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sul Ross State University students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 43%)

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.