SHSU vs. UTSA

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Texas at San Antonio is larger than SHSU based on total student enrollment (35,770 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 San Antonio is in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting).
• Sam Houston State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at San Antonio is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Sam Houston State University 19:1; The University of Texas at San Antonio 24:1.

SHSU vs. UTSA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SHSU or UTSA? 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 San Antonio than SHSU ($10,959 vs. $14,737).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sam Houston State University are 21.4% lower than at The University of Texas at San Antonio ($11,720 vs. $14,912).
• Sam Houston State University is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTSA (about $217 more per year; $9,228.00 vs. $9,011.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.6% higher at UTSA than at Sam Houston State University (about $2,983 more per year; $22,051.00 vs. $19,068.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Texas at San Antonio than at Sam Houston State University (76% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Texas at San Antonio students is 6.2% larger than aid received by Sam Houston State University students ($11,332 vs. $10,669).

SHSU vs. UTSA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Texas at San Antonio (1110) is 80 points higher than at SHSU (1030).
• Incoming UTSA students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 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 San Antonio 1000/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Sam Houston State University 17/24; The University of Texas at San Antonio 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SHSU - Test optional; UTSA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SHSU Aug 1, 2027; UTSA Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTSA students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at SHSU (3.25).
• SHSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than UTSA (86.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at SHSU vs. 27.1% at UTSA.

SHSU vs. UTSA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SHSU and UTSA? 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 San Antonio's (27%).
• Graduates from The University of Texas at San Antonio earn a median of about $100 more per year than SHSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,900 vs. $47,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sam Houston State University graduates have a $1,483 lower median loan debt than UTSA graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,983).
• Among borrowers, SHSU graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UTSA graduates ($222 vs. $237).
• More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTSA students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 55%)

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.