University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) vs Sam Houston State University (SHSU)
When it comes to higher education in Texas, University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) and Sam Houston State University (SHSU) stand out as two distinct institutions with unique offerings. UHD, located in the heart of Houston, boasts an acceptance rate of 88%, making it a more accessible option for students. SHSU, situated in Huntsville, has a lower acceptance rate of 69%, indicating a more selective admissions process. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with UHD specializing in business, education, and health professions, while SHSU excels in business, education, and liberal arts. UHD's student body is predominantly Hispanic, reflecting the city's demographics, while SHSU's student population is more evenly distributed across various ethnicities. With UHD's graduation rate at 38% and SHSU's at 59%, prospective students should carefully consider their academic goals and preferences to determine the best fit for their educational journey. Explore the
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![]() Sam Houston State University |
![]() University of Houston-Downtown |
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Overview |
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Location | Huntsville, Texas | Houston, Texas |
Campus setting | Town: Distant | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 73.0% | 64.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 96.6% | 94.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$50
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Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$35
|
SAT range | 950 - 1120 | N/A |
ACT range | 18 - 23 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 57.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 16.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 11,556 | 6,148 |
Total number of admissions given out | 11,161 | 5,831 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,908 | 1,360 |
Yield rate | 26.1% | 23.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$24,612
Out of state:
$34,404
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In state:
$25,782
Out of state:
$35,598
|
Average net price | $14,287 | $13,460 |
Tuition |
In state:
$5,856
Out of state:
$15,648
|
In state:
$6,252
Out of state:
$16,068
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$5,918
Meal plan:
$4,650
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
70.0%
Average amount $9,492 |
88.0%
Average amount $7,490 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
52.0%
Average amount $5,618 |
14.0%
Average amount $4,717 |
Students taking out private loans |
0.0%
Average amount $14,496 |
1.0%
Average amount $16,077 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
18,288
Men 36.2% Women 63.8% |
13,612
Men 36.4% Women 63.6% |
Graduate students |
3,324
Men 31.7% Women 68.3% |
1,465
Men 39.2% Women 60.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 1.4% | 0.6% |
International students | 1.3% | 5.4% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Distant | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 3,398 | N/A |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | N/A |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Texas Florida California Arkansas Illinois | Texas Georgia Iowa Louisiana Michigan |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 20:1 | 19:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 57.3% | 30.2% |
Dropout rate | 16.2% | 22.4% |
Transferred out | 23.6% | 39.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Music (Master's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Master's Degrees)
Agricultural Mechanization (Bachelor's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
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Criminal Justice and Corrections (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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