UALR vs. SHSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas at Little Rock in Little Rock, 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 UALR based on total student enrollment (21,039 students vs. 8,216 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is located in Little Rock, AR (Midsize City setting); Sam Houston State University is in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sam Houston State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 13:1; Sam Houston State University 19:1.

UALR vs. SHSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UALR 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 University of Arkansas at Little Rock than SHSU ($12,033 vs. $14,737).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock are 8.2% lower than at Sam Houston State University ($10,760 vs. $11,720).
• University of Arkansas at Little Rock is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SHSU (about $520 more per year; $9,748.00 vs. $9,228.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.2% higher at UALR than at Sam Houston State University (about $3,090 more per year; $22,158.00 vs. $19,068.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arkansas at Little Rock than at Sam Houston State University (92% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arkansas at Little Rock students is 3.2% larger than aid received by Sam Houston State University students ($11,013 vs. $10,669).

UALR vs. SHSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UALR 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 UALR.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arkansas at Little Rock (1090) is 60 points higher than at SHSU (1030).
• Incoming UALR 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: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 960/1210; Sam Houston State University 930/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Little Rock 17/24; Sam Houston State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UALR - Required; SHSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UALR Aug 17, 2027; SHSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UALR students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at SHSU (3.25).
• SHSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than UALR (58.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at UALR vs. 21.1% at SHSU.

UALR vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UALR 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 University of Arkansas at Little Rock's (21%).
• Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than UALR graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than SHSU graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UALR graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHSU graduates ($211 vs. $222).
• More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UALR students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 51%)

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.