Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. SHSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR with Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Sam Houston State University is larger than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (21,039 students vs. 4,732 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is located in Magnolia, AR (Remote Town setting); Sam Houston State University is in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sam Houston State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; Sam Houston State University 19:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. SHSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than SHSU ($13,442 vs. $14,737).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 32.5% lower than at Sam Houston State University ($7,911 vs. $11,720).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 7.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SHSU (about $732 more per year; $9,960.00 vs. $9,228.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.5% higher at SHSU than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $3,378 more per year; $19,068.00 vs. $15,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at Sam Houston State University (99% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students is 8.3% larger than aid received by Sam Houston State University students ($11,552 vs. $10,669).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. SHSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sam Houston State University (1030) is 40 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990).
• Incoming Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at SHSU (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105; Sam Houston State University 930/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24; Sam Houston State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; SHSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027; SHSU Aug 1, 2027.
• 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 (90.3%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. 21.1% at SHSU.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's (34%).
• Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $4,480 lower median loan debt than SHSU graduates ($17,020 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.