Northern Arizona University (NAU) vs. Sam Houston State University (SHSU) Overview
You’re wrestling with a tough question: “Should I go to NAU or Sam Houston State University (SHSU)?“
Northern Arizona University (NAU)
Sam Houston State University (SHSU)
Can you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesCan you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesThis complete guide analyzes both the quantitative and qualitative differences between Northern Arizona University (NAU) and Sam Houston State University (SHSU). This comparison is particularly valuable at understanding the cultural nuances between the colleges since it uses student videos to capture the “vibes” of campus - these videos are exclusively available on CampusReel :)
Differences between Northern Arizona University (NAU) and Sam Houston State University (SHSU)
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s go through a general overview of the high-level differences between Northern Arizona University (NAU) and Sam Houston State University (SHSU). The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) | Sam Houston State University (SHSU) | |
|---|---|---|
| In-state Tuition | $10,358 | $7,618 |
| Net Price | $14,785 | $12,887 |
| Average Financial Aid | $8,308 | $5,682 |
| Total Undergraduates | 24992 | 17401 |
| Average SAT Scores | 0 - 0 | 890 - 1090 |
| Acceptance Rate | 77 | 73 |
| Location | 1900 S. Knoles Dr. Babbitt Administrative Center Room 200 | 1806 Ave J |
| City Name | Flagstaff | Huntsville |
WARNINGS: Based on net price alone, Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is the cheaper option. However, this sticker price may not adequately represent the difference in living costs between Flagstaff and Huntsville. NAU is in a East South Central and Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is in a East South Central - sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools
Is Northern Arizona University (NAU) or Sam Houston State University (SHSU) Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into?
If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.
Therefore, the acceptance rate alone is not a good indicator that Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is a better school or will be more difficult for you specifically to get into. On the flipside, Northern Arizona University (NAU) is easier to get into based on acceptance rate alone.
You can use the below college admissions predictor to determine your likelihood of acceptance at either school.
How Do NAU Dorms Compare to housing Options at Sam Houston State University (SHSU)?
Both colleges provide on-campus living options. NAU charges for on-campus living, while Sam Houston State University (SHSU) charges N/A for on-campus living. Most importantly, though, check out the video below for a sample of dorm tours at each school.
NAU and Sam Houston State University (SHSU) student body differences
The table below helps demonstrate the student body differences as well.
| Northern Arizona University (NAU), % | Sam Houston State University (SHSU),% | |
|---|---|---|
| White | 59.48 | 52.54 |
| Hispanic | 21.77 | 20.44 |
| Black | 3.38 | 18.529999999999998 |
| Foreign | 4.5 | 1.28 |
| Others | 10.9 | 7.2 |
How different is the Northern Arizona University (NAU) campus compared to Sam Houston State University (SHSU) campus?
The NAU campus is located in Flagstaff, AZ and is characterized as City: Small (population less than 100,000). The Sam Houston State University (SHSU) campus is located in Huntsville, TX and is characterized as Town: Distant (in urban cluster more than 10 miles and up to 35 miles from an urbanized area).
Which school gives more financial aid?
NAU provides $8,308 whereas Sam Houston State University (SHSU) provides an average of $5,682.
How does NAU academics compare to Sam Houston State University (SHSU)?
When analyzing academics between Northern Arizona University (NAU) and Sam Houston State University (SHSU) we’ll look at both what current students are studying and also where they end up after graduation. After all, college should prepare you for a career! Analyzing each school’s outcomes is super valuable to understand the value of the degree.
| Majors | NAU | Sam Houston State University (SHSU) |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture agriculture operations and related sciences | N/A | 171 |
| Natural resources and conservation | 136 | N/A |
| Architecture and related services | N/A | 14 |
| Area ethnic cultural gender and group studies | 8 | N/A |
| Communication journalism and related programs | 266 | 172 |
| Computer and information sciences and support services | 61 | 52 |
| Communications technologies technicians and support services | N/A | 22 |
| Personal and culinary services | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering | 330 | N/A |
| Education | 558 | N/A |
| Engineering technologies and engineering related fields | N/A | 84 |
Which is better: Northern Arizona University (NAU) or Sam Houston State University (SHSU)?
We’ve compared dorm life, costs, outcomes and more to provide the most complete comparison between NAU and Sam Houston State University (SHSU). But, you’re smart enough to know that numbers paint a terrible picture for truly understanding what each college and community is like. And, the real answer to which school is better is: the school that’s right for you. No matter who you ask, if they know what they’re talking about, the answer is the same: the “better” school is whatever is the best fit for you personally. That’s why it’s extremely important to check out all the videos on CampusReel for each school.
How does NAU social life compare to Sam Houston State University (SHSU)?
It’s tough to understand the nuances of social life with data alone. That’s why we’ve brought in real student videos to show how NAU social life differs from Sam Houston State University (SHSU).
Check here.
Check here.