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Lamar University University of Houston-Downtown SFASU Tarleton Texas State UNT TAMUK Texas A&M UH A&M Commerce UTSA Texas Tech| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Sam Houston State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
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Overview |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | SHSU | ||
| Location | Magnolia, AR | Huntsville, TX | ||
| Setting | Remote Town | Remote Town | ||
| Enrollment | 5,094 | 21,480 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #868 | #778 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | saumag.edu | shsu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | SHSU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $7,020 | $5,856 | ||
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| Tuition (Out of State) | $12,450 | $15,648 | ||
| Room & Board | $7,809 | $10,908 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $14,056 | $13,632 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $9,316 | $10,499 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 99% | 73% |
Admission |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | SHSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 2,916 | 16,316 | ||
| Admitted | 1,855 | 13,809 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 63.6% | 84.6% | ||
| Enrolled % | 38.1% | 24.6% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.46 | 3.25 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Easy | Very Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | Low | |||
| ACT Range | 17/24 | 18/24 | ||
| SAT Range | 905/1190 | 960/1140 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Required to be considered for admission | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Aug 27, 2025 | Aug 1, 2025 |
Academics |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | SHSU | ||
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| Student to Faculty Ratio | 15:1 | 20:1 | ||
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Outcomes |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | SHSU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 34% | 50% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $37,900 | $47,800 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 44% | 57% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $17,020 | $21,500 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $175 | $222 |
Diversity |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | SHSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 45% | 36% | ||
| % Women | 55% | 64% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Medium | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 63% | 53% | ||
| % Black | 28% | 19% | ||
| % Hispanic | 3% | 20% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 1% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 0% | 3% | ||
| % International | 3% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 0% | 2% |
Students |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | SHSU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 70% | 98% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 29% | 1% | ||
Campus |
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | SHSU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | Yes | ||
| Daycare Facility | No | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- Sam Houston State University is larger than than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (21,480 students vs. 5,094 students)
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. SHSU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or SHSU?
- Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 19.9% more expensive to attend than SHSU for in-state tuition ($7,020.00 vs. $5,856.00)
- Out of state tuition is 25.7% higher at SHSU than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($15,648.00 vs. $12,450.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Sam Houston State University than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($13,632 vs. $14,056)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 39.7% lower than costs at Sam Houston State University ($7,809 vs. $10,908)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than Sam Houston State University (99% vs. 73%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by Sam Houston State University students is 12.7% larger than aid received Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($10,499 vs. $9,316)
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. SHSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or SHSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SHSU or Southern Arkansas University Main Campus .
- The average SAT score at Sam Houston State University (997) is 9 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (988)
- Incoming SHSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (21)
- Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at SHSU (3.25)
- SHSU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (63.6%)
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or SHSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SHSU and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.
- The graduation rate at SHSU is higher than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (50% vs. 34%)
- Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn on average $9,900 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $37,900)
- Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students graduate with a $4,480 lower median federal student loan debt than SHSU graduates. ($17,020 vs. $21,500)
- Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than SHSU graduates. ($175 vs. $222)
- More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 44%)
Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/