SFASU vs. TSU

Should I go to Stephen F Austin State University or Texas Southern University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SFASU or TSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

PVAMU SHSU University of Houston-Downtown Tarleton Texas A&M Texas State UT Tyler UH UNT Texas Tech MSU Tennessee State University
Stephen F Austin State University vs. Texas Southern University comparison
Stephen F Austin State University Texas Southern University College 3 College 4
Stephen F Austin State University Texas Southern University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

SFASU TSU
Location Nacogdoches, TX Houston, TX
Setting Rural Fringe Large City
Enrollment 11,327 8,632
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #894 #1017
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sfasu.edu tsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

SFASU TSU
Tuition (In State) $7,842 $7,437
Tuition (Out of State) $18,858 $19,677
Room & Board $9,642 $9,664
Avg Net Price $13,858 $11,826
Avg Grant Aid $10,363 $12,085
% Receiving Grant Aid 72% 99%

Admission

SFASU TSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 9,944 8,582
Admitted 8,901 8,307
Acceptance Rate 89.5% 96.8%
Enrolled % 21% 28.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.26 3.0
Typical High School Grades B B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 15/19
SAT Range 970/1160 820/1000
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

SFASU TSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • General Studies (16%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • General Studies (7%)

Outcomes

SFASU TSU
Graduation Rate 44% 12%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $36,200
Making Student Loan Payments 52% 22%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $29,358
Median Loan Payment $258 $303

Diversity

SFASU TSU
% Men 36% 35%
% Women 64% 65%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No Yes
% White 57% 2%
% Black 20% 80%
% Hispanic 16% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 0%
% International 1% 8%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

SFASU TSU
% In-State 98% 77%
% Out-of-State 1% 22%

Campus

SFASU TSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Stephen F Austin State University is larger than than TSU based on total student enrollment (11,327 students vs. 8,632 students)

SFASU vs. TSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SFASU or TSU?

  • Stephen F Austin State University is 5.4% more expensive to attend than TSU for in-state tuition ($7,842.00 vs. $7,437.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.3% higher at TSU than Stephen F Austin State University ($19,677.00 vs. $18,858.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Texas Southern University than SFASU ($11,826 vs. $13,858)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stephen F Austin State University are 0.2% lower than costs at Texas Southern University ($9,642 vs. $9,664)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Texas Southern University than Stephen F Austin State University (99% vs. 72%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Southern University students is 16.6% larger than aid received Stephen F Austin State University ($12,085 vs. $10,363)

SFASU vs. TSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SFASU or TSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between TSU or SFASU .

  • The average SAT score at Stephen F Austin State University (1001) is 184 points higher than at TSU (817)
  • Incoming SFASU students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at TSU (17)
  • Accepted freshman SFASU students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.26) than students at TSU (3.0)
  • TSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.8%) than SFASU (89.5%)

SFASU vs. TSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SFASU or TSU? 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 TSU and SFASU.

  • The graduation rate at SFASU is higher than Texas Southern University (44% vs. 12%)
  • Graduates from Stephen F Austin State University earn on average $8,400 more per year than TSU graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $36,200)
  • Stephen F Austin State University students graduate with a $4,358 lower median federal student loan debt than TSU graduates. ($25,000 vs. $29,358)
  • SFASU graduates are paying $45 less per month on federal student loans than TSU graduates. ($258 vs. $303)
  • More SFASU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TSU students, three years after graduation. (52% vs. 22%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/