SFASU vs. TSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX with Texas Southern University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stephen F Austin State University is larger than TSU based on total student enrollment (10,472 students vs. 8,704 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Stephen F Austin State University is located in Nacogdoches, TX (Rural Fringe setting); Texas Southern University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Stephen F Austin State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Southern University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Stephen F Austin State University 16:1; Texas Southern University 19:1.

SFASU vs. TSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SFASU or TSU? 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 Texas Southern University than SFASU ($13,584 vs. $14,959).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Southern University are 2.6% lower than at Stephen F Austin State University ($12,800 vs. $13,144).
• Stephen F Austin State University is 21.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than TSU (about $1,955 more per year; $11,128.00 vs. $9,173.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.1% higher at SFASU than at Texas Southern University (about $1,953 more per year; $23,426.00 vs. $21,473.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Southern University than at Stephen F Austin State University (95% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stephen F Austin State University students is 8.9% larger than aid received by Texas Southern University students ($10,694 vs. $9,823).

SFASU vs. TSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SFASU or TSU? 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 TSU and SFASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephen F Austin State University (1070) is 170 points higher than at TSU (900).
• Incoming SFASU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at TSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stephen F Austin State University 970/1170; Texas Southern University 800/1000.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stephen F Austin State University 18/24; Texas Southern University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SFASU - Test optional; TSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TSU Jul 15, 2027.
• 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 (96.9%) than SFASU (94%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at SFASU vs. 17.9% at TSU.

SFASU vs. TSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SFASU and TSU? 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).

• Stephen F Austin State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Texas Southern University's (12%).
• Graduates from Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than TSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stephen F Austin State University graduates have a $4,358 lower median loan debt than TSU graduates ($25,000 vs. $29,358).
• Among borrowers, SFASU graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.