Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
- More
Huntsville , TX
Sam Houston State University, established in 1879, is a public university located in Huntsville, Texas. With a proud history spanning over 140 years, SHSU offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs across eight colleges. The university is committed to providing a high-quality education and encourages its students to explore their passions, engage in critical thinking, and develop skills necessary for success in their chosen fields.
One of the key highlights of Sam Houston State University is its strong emphasis on experiential learning. The university understands the importance of practical application and offers numerous opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in their respective fields of study. From internships and co-op programs to research projects and community service initiatives, SHSU ensures that students have access to real-world learning experiences that enhance their academic knowledge and foster personal growth.
In addition to its academic offerings, Sam Houston State University boasts a vibrant campus life. With over 250 registered student organizations and 16 NCAA Division I athletic teams, there are ample opportunities for students to get involved and foster a sense of community. The university also ensures student well-being by providing various support services, including counseling, health services, and career development resources. Whether through academic pursuits or extracurricular activities, SHSU strives to create an inclusive and supportive environment that encourages students to reach their full potential.
Located in Huntsville, TX, Sam Houston State University is a public university. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 90%. The freshman retention rate at Sam Houston State University is 73.25% and the six-year graduation rate is 55%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is August 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is July 1.
To find out more about what Sam Houston State University has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
17,787
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
21:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
55%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you discover as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will significantly increase. Check out some vital facts about admission at Sam Houston State University.
According to the newest data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 15,506 in 2025. Sam Houston State University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the applicant. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of those who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 92% and ACT scores 11%. 0.71% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 10.87% between 1,200 and 1,399, 50.68% between 1,000 and 1,199, 33.51% between 800 and 999, and 4.22% between 600 and 799. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 1.64, 24.59 between 24-29, 48.09 in the range between 18-23, 25.14 between 12-17, and 0.55 between 6-11.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 540 and an average SAT Math score of 525.
Deadlines
The closing date for applications to this school is August 1. If you are thinking about applying as a transfer student, note that the application deadline is July 1.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for Sam Houston State University was 73.25%, indicative of the exceptional educational experience and supportive environment at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 55%.
Student Body
Making the decision of which school is the right place for you is not easy. Gaining a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school enrolled 21,039 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 1.4% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 17,787, 127 of which were foreign students. The school admitted a total of 1,810 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 6,047 male and 10,158 female full-time students in 2025, which is indicative of the value gender equality has at this school. There were 281 full-time graduate male and 609 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 381, while the number of Afro-American students was 3,177. 5,154 undergraduate students at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 657 as multirace. The school also had 20 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 131 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 230 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition cost for this university.
For local residents, public county and municipal institutions reported that tuition costs were $7,320. Tuition fees were $19,470 for students coming from a different state. Tuition costs at Sam Houston State University for international students came to $19,470. Fees per academic year required of full-time students summed up to $4,050 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $19,470 | $4,050 | $23,520 |
| In-State | $7,320 | $4,050 | $11,370 |
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to take into consideration is the estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university. Most students have to allocate about $1,380 for books and supplies during their time at Sam Houston State University.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Sam Houston State University was $12,220 per academic year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school came to $6,720, according to the data from 2025.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 7,320 |
| Room and Board | $ 12,220 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,380 |
| Total Expense | $ 20,920 |
Financial Aid
Financial support for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid at Sam Houston State University.
According to the most recent data, 2,109 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $13,665.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
7,966 students secured some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Sam Houston State University is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 9,489. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution was $43,276,241, and state $32,996,169. The students of Sam Houston State University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $4,736,999, and external in the amount of $4,594,425.
$3,697
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 493 students overall (including freshmen) at Sam Houston State University in 2025. 123 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $43,276,241 while the state aid is $10,799. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $3,378,056. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $2,471,861 USD.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
Majors
Faculty
21:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
In 2025, this ratio at Sam Houston State University was 21:1. That means that there were 21 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 1,064. This number included 494 men and 570 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Sam Houston State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Sam Houston State University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Check out some details about social life at Sam Houston State University.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
Based on the most up-to-date information available, there are 180 open-membership organizations at Sam Houston State University. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. If you are interested in music, you can join the Sam Houston State University band or chorus. For those interested in acting, there is a drama club you can become part of. For individuals with an interest in media and communication, Sam Houston State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Sam Houston State University, there are many amenities that make life on campus comfortable and safe.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services and Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Sam Houston State University.
All in all, campus life at Sam Houston State University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Sam Houston State University.
Career Counselling
At Sam Houston State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
-
Sam Houston State University is located in Huntsville, TX.
-
Sam Houston State University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
-
This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
-
The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for Sam Houston State University is 90%.
-
The most recent reported freshman retention rate for Sam Houston State University is 73.25%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2025 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
