UAPB vs. SHSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in Pine Bluff, 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 UAPB based on total student enrollment (21,039 students vs. 2,005 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is located in Pine Bluff, AR (Small City setting); Sam Houston State University is in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 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 Pine Bluff 12:1; Sam Houston State University 19:1.

UAPB vs. SHSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UAPB 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 Pine Bluff than SHSU ($12,373 vs. $14,737).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff are 21.6% lower than at Sam Houston State University ($9,194 vs. $11,720).
• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is 2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SHSU (about $184 more per year; $9,412.00 vs. $9,228.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at SHSU than at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (about $1,076 more per year; $19,068.00 vs. $17,992.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff than at Sam Houston State University (96% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff students is 2% larger than aid received by Sam Houston State University students ($10,883 vs. $10,669).

UAPB vs. SHSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UAPB 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 UAPB.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sam Houston State University (1030) is 50 points higher than at UAPB (980).
• Incoming SHSU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 16 at UAPB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 845/1108; Sam Houston State University 930/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 14/18; Sam Houston State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UAPB - Required; SHSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SHSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SHSU students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.25) than students at UAPB (2.9).
• SHSU has a higher acceptance rate (90.3%) than UAPB (41.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at UAPB vs. 21.1% at SHSU.

UAPB vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UAPB 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 Pine Bluff's (23%).
• Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn a median of about $17,600 more per year than UAPB graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $30,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Sam Houston State University graduates have a $5,248 lower median loan debt than UAPB graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,748).
• Among borrowers, SHSU graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UAPB graduates ($222 vs. $276).
• More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UAPB students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 30%)

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.