San Francisco State vs. SHSU

Comparable Facts

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

San Francisco State University is larger than SHSU based on total student enrollment (22,563 students vs. 21,039 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); Sam Houston State University is in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• San Francisco State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sam Houston State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Francisco State University 19:1; Sam Houston State University 19:1.

San Francisco State vs. SHSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Francisco State or SHSU? 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 San Francisco State University than SHSU ($13,168 vs. $14,737).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sam Houston State University are 47.4% lower than at San Francisco State University ($11,720 vs. $22,266).
• Sam Houston State University is 16.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Francisco State (about $1,278 more per year; $9,228.00 vs. $7,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.8% higher at San Francisco State than at Sam Houston State University (about $1,482 more per year; $20,550.00 vs. $19,068.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Francisco State University than at Sam Houston State University (77% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Francisco State University students is 21.8% larger than aid received by Sam Houston State University students ($12,996 vs. $10,669).

San Francisco State vs. SHSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Francisco State or SHSU? 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 SHSU and San Francisco State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Francisco State University (1030) is the same as at SHSU (1030).
• Incoming SHSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at San Francisco State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Francisco State University 930/1130; Sam Houston State University 930/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Francisco State University 16/23; Sam Houston State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Francisco State - Test-free; SHSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026; SHSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman San Francisco State students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at SHSU (3.25).
• San Francisco State has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than SHSU (90.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at San Francisco State vs. 21.1% at SHSU.

San Francisco State vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Francisco State and SHSU? 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 San Francisco State University's (46%).
• Graduates from San Francisco State University earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than SHSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $47,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Francisco State University graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than SHSU graduates ($17,250 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, San Francisco State graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHSU graduates ($178 vs. $222).
• More San Francisco State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SHSU students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 57%)

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.