Sam Houston State University vs Texas Tech University

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CollegeRanker is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Sam Houston State University vs Texas Tech University Introduction

Choosing the right university can be a daunting task. To help you with this important decision, we’ve compared two popular schools in Texas: Sam Houston State University and Texas Tech University. In this comparison, we’ll discuss various factors such as cost, admissions, academics, and outcomes, to provide a comprehensive understanding of each institution.

Sam Houston State University Overview

Sam Houston State University (SHSU), located in Huntsville, Texas, is a public institution founded in 1879. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, it caters to a diverse student population. SHSU is well-known for its strong programs in criminal justice, education, and business.

Sam Houston State University Costs & Tuition

Tuition at SHSU is relatively affordable, with in-state tuition fees around $8,536 per year and out-of-state tuition fees at $18,664. Additional expenses, such as housing and meal plans, bring the total estimated cost of attendance to about $25,000-$35,000 per year for in-state students and $35,000-$45,000 for out-of-state students.

Sam Houston State University Admissions

SHSU has a moderately selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of around 79%. The average high school GPA of admitted students is 3.4. Additionally, the middle 50% of incoming students have SAT scores ranging from 990 to 1170, and ACT scores ranging from 19 to 24.

Sam Houston State University Degrees Offered

SHSU offers over 80 undergraduate degree programs, 50 master’s programs, and six doctoral programs. Some popular majors include criminal justice, business, psychology, and education.

Sam Houston State University Academics

With a student-faculty ratio of 21:1, SHSU offers a supportive learning environment for its students. The university has a four-year graduation rate of approximately 34%, and a six-year graduation rate of around 52%.

Sam Houston State University Diversity

SHSU has a diverse student population, with about 50% of students identifying as Caucasian, 25% Hispanic, 16% African American, and the remaining 9% comprising other ethnicities.

Sam Houston State University Students

Over 21,000 students attend SHSU, with the majority pursuing undergraduate degrees. The university provides various opportunities for student involvement, including over 250 student organizations, a vibrant Greek life, and numerous intramural sports activities.

Sam Houston State University Campus

The SHSU campus, located in Huntsville’s historic district, spans 316 acres and offers a variety of modern facilities, including a state-of-the-art recreation center, dining options, and comfortable residence halls.

Sam Houston State University Alumni

SHSU has a strong alumni network, with notable graduates including Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Dan Rather, former Texas governor Price Daniel, and NFL player Josh McCown.

Sam Houston State University Rankings

Sam Houston State University is ranked #281 in National Universities by U.S. News & World Report and #61 in Top Public Schools.

Sam Houston State University Outcomes

The average starting salary for SHSU graduates is around $47,000. Additionally, the university has a strong commitment to supporting its students’ career development through resources such as the Career Services office, which offers assistance in job search strategies, resume-building, and interview preparation.

Texas Tech University Overview

Texas Tech University (TTU), located in Lubbock, Texas, is a public research institution founded in 1923. Boasting a large student population, TTU offers various undergraduate and graduate programs in diverse fields, with strong emphasis on engineering, business, and agriculture.

Texas Tech University Costs & Tuition

TTU has an in-state tuition fee of approximately $9,300 per year and an out-of-state tuition fee of around $19,260. With additional expenses like housing and meal plans, the total estimated cost of attendance ranges from $27,000 to $37,000 per year for in-state students and $37,000 to $47,000 for out-of-state students.

Texas Tech University Admissions

Texas Tech University has a selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of about 71%. The average high school GPA of incoming students is 3.57. The middle 50% of enrolled students have SAT scores ranging from 1070 to 1240, and ACT scores ranging from 22 to 27.

Texas Tech University Degrees Offered

TTU offers over 150 undergraduate majors, 100 master’s programs, and 50 doctoral programs. Popular majors include engineering, business, agriculture, and human sciences.

Texas Tech University Academics

With a student-faculty ratio of 20:1, TTU provides an engaging learning environment. The university has a four-year graduation rate of approximately 37%, and a six-year graduation rate of around 60%.

Texas Tech University Diversity

The student population at TTU is diverse, with 55% of students identifying as Caucasian, 27% Hispanic, 7% African American, and the remaining 11% comprising other ethnicities.

Texas Tech University Students

TTU has over 38,000 students, the majority of whom are pursuing undergraduate degrees. The university offers extensive opportunities for student involvement, including over 450 student organizations, a thriving Greek life, and various intramural sports activities.

Texas Tech University Campus

The 1,839-acre TTU campus provides a mix of historic and modern buildings, featuring state-of-the-art facilities, diverse dining options, and comfortable residence halls.

Texas Tech University Alumni

Notable TTU alumni include U.S. Senator John Cornyn, NASA astronaut Rick Husband, and actress Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks.

Texas Tech University Rankings

Texas Tech University is ranked #217 in National Universities by U.S. News & World Report and #102 in Top Public Schools.

Texas Tech University Outcome

The average starting salary for TTU graduates is around $50,000. The university supports its students’ career development through resources like the University Career Center, which offers assistance in job search strategies, resume-building, and interview preparation.

Sam Houston State University vs Texas Tech University Cost Comparison

When comparing the costs of attending Sam Houston State University and Texas Tech University, both institutions have similar in-state tuition fees, with SHSU being slightly more affordable at $8,536 per year compared to TTU’s $9,300 per year. Out-of-state tuition fees are also similar, with SHSU at $18,664 and TTU at $19,260. The total estimated cost of attendance, including housing and meal plans, is approximately $25,000 to $35,000 per year for in-state students at SHSU and $27,000 to $37,000 at TTU. Out-of-state students can expect to pay between $35,000 and $45,000 per year at SHSU, and $37,000 to $47,000 per year at TTU.

Sam Houston State University vs Texas Tech University Admissions Difficulty

Admissions at both Sam Houston State University and Texas Tech University are moderately selective. SHSU has an acceptance rate of 79%, while TTU has an acceptance rate of 71%. The average high school GPA of admitted students is 3.4 for SHSU, and 3.57 for TTU. The middle 50% of enrolled students have SAT scores between 990 and 1170 at SHSU, and 1070 to 1240 at TTU. ACT scores range from 19 to 24 for SHSU, and 22 to 27 for TTU.

Sam Houston State University vs Texas Tech University Academic Difficulty

Both Sam Houston State University and Texas Tech University provide rigorous academic programs for their students. With similar student-faculty ratios (21:1 for SHSU and 20:1 for TTU), students can expect a supportive and engaging learning environment at both institutions. Graduation rates are slightly higher at TTU, with a four-year graduation rate of 37% compared to SHSU’s 34%, and a six-year graduation rate of 60% compared to SHSU’s 52%.

Sam Houston State University vs Texas Tech University Outcome Comparison

The average starting salary for graduates is higher at Texas Tech University, with an average of $50,000 compared to Sam Houston State University’s $47,000. Both universities provide extensive career development support through their respective career services offices, assisting students with job search strategies, resume-building, and interview preparation.