SHSU vs. UT Arlington

Comparable Facts

Compare Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX with The University of Texas at Arlington in Arlington, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Texas at Arlington is larger than SHSU based on total student enrollment (44,956 students vs. 21,039 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Sam Houston State University is located in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting); The University of Texas at Arlington is in Arlington, TX (Large City setting).
• Sam Houston State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at Arlington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sam Houston State University 19:1; The University of Texas at Arlington 23:1.

SHSU vs. UT Arlington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHSU or UT Arlington? 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 The University of Texas at Arlington than SHSU ($13,755 vs. $14,737).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at Arlington are 4.2% lower than at Sam Houston State University ($11,228 vs. $11,720).
• The University of Texas at Arlington is 29.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than SHSU (about $2,722 more per year; $11,950.00 vs. $9,228.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.1% higher at UT Arlington than at Sam Houston State University (about $10,514 more per year; $29,582.00 vs. $19,068.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Texas at Arlington than at Sam Houston State University (88% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Texas at Arlington students is 13.7% larger than aid received by Sam Houston State University students ($12,127 vs. $10,669).

SHSU vs. UT Arlington Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SHSU or UT Arlington? 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 UT Arlington and SHSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Texas at Arlington (1130) is 100 points higher than at SHSU (1030).
• Incoming UT Arlington students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at SHSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sam Houston State University 930/1120; The University of Texas at Arlington 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sam Houston State University 17/24; The University of Texas at Arlington 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SHSU - Test optional; UT Arlington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SHSU Aug 1, 2027; UT Arlington Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UT Arlington students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at SHSU (3.25).
• SHSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than UT Arlington (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at SHSU vs. 26.4% at UT Arlington.

SHSU vs. UT Arlington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHSU and UT Arlington? 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).

• Sam Houston State University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than The University of Texas at Arlington's (40%).
• Graduates from The University of Texas at Arlington earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than SHSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $47,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas at Arlington graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than SHSU graduates ($18,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UT Arlington graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHSU graduates ($186 vs. $222).
• More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UT Arlington students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 56%)

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.