Skip to content

Sam Houston State University vs Texas A&M University-College Station

Sam Houston State University is a public university in Huntsville, TX, and Texas A&M University-College Station is a public college in College Station, TX. Texas A&M University-College Station is the more selective of the two, admitting about 57% of applicants against 90% at Sam Houston State University. Sam Houston State University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $16,404 a year against $21,315 at Texas A&M University-College Station. About 84% of students graduate at Texas A&M University-College Station, compared with 55% at Sam Houston State University. Ten years after enrolling, Texas A&M University-College Station alumni earn a median of about $72,097, against $54,211 for Sam Houston State University.

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, TX · Public

Texas A&M University-College Station

College Station, TX · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Huntsville, TX
College Station, TX
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
17,743
59,615
Acceptance rate
90%
57%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.21–3.71
3.51–4
SAT (middle 50%)
930–1120
1150–1400
ACT (middle 50%)
17–24
25–31
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$16,404
$21,315
Full cost / yr
$25,505
$32,696
In-state tuition
$9,228
$13,154
Out-of-state tuition
$19,068
$40,124
Application fee
$50
$75
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$12,474
$12,784
$30k - $48k
$13,389
$13,317
$48k - $75k
$15,540
$17,435
$75k - $110k
$21,366
$26,520
Over $110k
$24,101
$30,660
Outcomes
Graduation rate
55%
84%
Freshman retention
73%
94%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$45,337
$59,386
Median earnings (10 yr)
$54,211
$72,097
Median debt at graduation
$21,983
$17,804
Student body
Pell grant recipients
41%
20%
First-generation students
41%
30%
International students
1%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Dec 1

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Sam Houston State University or Texas A&M University-College Station harder to get into?
Texas A&M University-College Station is harder to get into. It admits about 57% of applicants, compared with 90% at Sam Houston State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Sam Houston State University or Texas A&M University-College Station?
Sam Houston State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $16,404 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $21,315 at Texas A&M University-College Station. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Sam Houston State University and Texas A&M University-College Station?
Before aid, Sam Houston State University costs about $25,505 a year and Texas A&M University-College Station about $32,696. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Sam Houston State University or Texas A&M University-College Station?
Sam Houston State University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $12,474 there, against about $12,784 at Texas A&M University-College Station. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Sam Houston State University or Texas A&M University-College Station?
Texas A&M University-College Station is the larger of the two, with about 59,615 undergraduates against 17,743 at Sam Houston State University.
Does Sam Houston State University or Texas A&M University-College Station have a better graduation rate?
Texas A&M University-College Station has the higher graduation rate, at about 84% against 55% at Sam Houston State University.
Do graduates of Sam Houston State University or Texas A&M University-College Station earn more?
Texas A&M University-College Station alumni earn more on average: a median of about $72,097 ten years after enrolling, against about $54,211 for Sam Houston State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Sam Houston State University and Texas A&M University-College Station require SAT or ACT scores?
Sam Houston State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Texas A&M University-College Station is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Sam Houston State University and Texas A&M University-College Station look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 930–1120 at Sam Houston State University and 1150–1400 at Texas A&M University-College Station. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school