University of North Texas vs Sam Houston State University
Both universities offer accessible admission with UNT accepting 79% of applicants compared to Sam Houston's 84% acceptance rate. Neither school presents significant admission barriers for qualified students.
Cost-wise, Sam Houston State provides better value with lower in-state tuition ($9,228 vs $11,164) and out-of-state rates ($19,020 vs $21,244). However, UNT's average net price is lower at $14,352 compared to Sam Houston's $16,025, suggesting stronger financial aid packages.
UNT's larger enrollment of 33,680 students offers more academic variety and research opportunities, while Sam Houston's 18,138 students create a more intimate environment. Sam Houston provides better faculty access with a 20:1 student-faculty ratio versus UNT's 23:1 ratio.
Campus experience differs significantly in scale. UNT's size brings more clubs, activities, and Division I athletic programs in a college town setting. Sam Houston offers closer community connections and easier navigation of campus resources.
Graduation outcomes slightly favor UNT with a 60% six-year graduation rate compared to Sam Houston's 55%. UNT graduates earn higher median salaries after ten years ($57,010 vs $54,211) but both schools produce graduates with manageable debt loads around $20,000.
Retention rates are comparable at 77% (UNT) and 75% (Sam Houston), indicating similar student satisfaction levels.
Students seeking extensive academic options, research opportunities, and big university experiences should consider UNT, while those preferring smaller class sizes, personal attention, and tight-knit community feel would thrive at Sam Houston State.
Both universities offer accessible admission with UNT accepting 79% of applicants compared to Sam Houston's 84% acceptance rate. Neither school presents significant admission barriers for qualified students.
Cost-wise, Sam Houston State provides better value with lower in-state tuition ($9,228 vs $11,164) and out-of-state rates ($19,020 vs $21,244). However, UNT's average net price is lower at $14,352 compared to Sam Houston's $16,025, suggesting stronger financial aid packages.
UNT's larger enrollment of 33,680 students offers more academic variety and research opportunities, while Sam Houston's 18,138 students create a more intimate environment. Sam Houston provides better faculty access with a 20:1 student-faculty ratio versus UNT's 23:1 ratio.
Campus experience differs significantly in scale. UNT's size brings more clubs, activities, and Division I athletic programs in a college town setting. Sam Houston offers closer community connections and easier navigation of campus resources.
Graduation outcomes slightly favor UNT with a 60% six-year graduation rate compared to Sam Houston's 55%. UNT graduates earn higher median salaries after ten years ($57,010 vs $54,211) but both schools produce graduates with manageable debt loads around $20,000.
Retention rates are comparable at 77% (UNT) and 75% (Sam Houston), indicating similar student satisfaction levels.
Students seeking extensive academic options, research opportunities, and big university experiences should consider UNT, while those preferring smaller class sizes, personal attention, and tight-knit community feel would thrive at Sam Houston State.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| University of North Texas | Sam Houston State University | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 79.1% | 84.6% |
| SAT Average | 1,120 | 1,050 |
| Enrollment | 33,680 | 18,138 |
| In-State Tuition | $11,164 | $9,228 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $21,244 | $19,020 |
| Net Price | $14,352 | $16,025 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 59.6% | 55.1% |
| Retention Rate | 77.0% | 75.4% |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $57,010 | $54,211 |
| Median Debt | $19,250 | $21,983 |
Top Programs by Earnings
Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.
| University of North Texas | Sam Houston State University | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Earnings | Program | Earnings |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | $72,762 | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $69,740 |
| Computer Engineering. | $70,680 | Construction Engineering Technologies. | $60,128 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies. | $69,338 | Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | $59,417 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $68,219 | Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $56,415 |
| Materials Engineering | $63,997 | Agricultural Mechanization. | $49,436 |