Sam Houston State University — College Profile

About

Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, is nationally renowned for its top-ranked College of Criminal Justice, while also offering standout programs in education, business, and agricultural sciences. As one of the state's oldest public institutions, SHSU sets itself apart through impressive real-world facilities, including a world-class forensic anthropology research center (body farm) and a dedicated College of Osteopathic Medicine. The student experience combines a tight-knit, welcoming community with a vibrant campus culture rooted in NCAA Division I athletics, active student organizations, and outdoor recreation in the surrounding Piney Woods.

Wikipedia:Sam Houston State University is a public research university in Huntsville, Texas, United States. Founded in 1879, it is the third-oldest public college or university in Texas. It is one of the first normal schools west of the Mississippi River and the first in Texas. The school is named for statesman Sam Houston, who made his home in the city and is buried there.

Location

Huntsville, TX, 77340 · Town campus

✈

Nearest airport from college

IAH · Houston Intercontinental

52 mi away

Open in Google Maps

Cost & aid

Cost of attendance

In-stateOut-of-state

Tuition & fees$9,228$19,068

Housing & food (on campus)$11,720$11,720

Books & supplies$1,380$1,380

Cost of attendance$25,505$41,860

Average net price$16,404Not published

Out-of-state prices

Tuition & fees$19,068

In-state: $9,228

Housing & food (on campus)$11,720

Books & supplies$1,380

Cost of attendance$41,860

In-state: $25,505

Average net priceNot published

In-state: $16,404

Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.shsu.edu

How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2026-27

Sam Houston State University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.

Tuition$23,810

Books & supplies$1,380

Personal expenses$1,792

Transportation$2,004

Total published by the school$41,860

Source: www.shsu.edu · checked Sep 13, 2026

Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24

$0–30k

$12,474

$30–48k

$13,389

$48–75k

$15,540

$75–110k

$21,366

$110k+

$24,101

Your family's actual price → Sam Houston State University net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Outcomes

Completion

Within 6 yrs

55%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

36%

Back for yr 2

73%

Transferred

23%

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

58% graduated · 27% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 14% left or unknown

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

6 yrs after entry$45,337

10 yrs after entry$54,211

Debt

Median at graduation$21,983

Monthly payment$233

Middle 50% owe$6.7k–$26k

90th percentile$35,750

Admissions

Getting in · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

90%

Test policy

Test optional

Per College Scorecard

SAT average

1041

R 480–570 · M 450–550

ACT midpoint

Comp 17–24 · E 18–26 · M 16–22

SAT middle 50%: 930–1120

40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Sam Houston State University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body

Gender

Men 37%Women 63%

Who enrolls

Faculty ratio

19 : 1

Pell grant

41%

First-gen

41%

Family income

$37,602

Independent

20%

Veterans

Age at entry

22.0

Part-time

16%

Race & ethnicity

White

44%

Hispanic

29%

Black

18%

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

AI/AN

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division I-FBS · EADA 2024-25

Baseball
Men's
Basketball
Men's · Women's
Beach Volleyball
Women's
Bowling
Women's
Football
Men's
Golf
Men's · Women's
Soccer
Women's
Softball
Women's
Tennis
Women's
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Men's · Women's
Volleyball
Women's

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021

After 6 yrs

$45,337

After 10 yrs

$54,211

Criminal Justice and Corrections888

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods303

Psychology, General263

Business/Commerce, General240

Communication and Media Studies198

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing195

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness141

Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General123

Biology, General122

Finance and Financial Management Services119

Health and Medical Administrative Services110

Animal Sciences103

History84

Marketing78

Business Administration, Management and Operations77

Public Health75

Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.

Institutional

Resources

Endowment

$191M

Full-time faculty

79%

Faculty salary

$8,196/mo

Teaching spend

$7,981

per student

Federal loans

46%

Classification

Carnegie type

Doctoral University

Research activity

R2 — high research

$17M research spending · 62 research doctorates a year

Undergraduate profile