Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Huntsville, Texas |
| Online | shsu.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Remote Town |
| Size | Large |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Sam Houston State University, located in Huntsville, Texas, approximately 70 miles north of Houston, operates on a sprawling campus in a small-town setting. The institution, founded in 1879 as Sam Houston Normal Institute, stands as the third-oldest public university in Texas and bears the name of Texas historical figure Sam Houston. The university maintains strong academic programs in criminal justice, education, and business, with its College of Criminal Justice recognized as one of the oldest and most established in the nation. Students reside in traditional residence halls and apartment-style housing complexes across campus, while the university competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Bearkats in the Western Athletic Conference. The campus features a mix of historic and modern architecture, including the notable Austin Hall, which serves as the oldest continuously operating educational building west of the Mississippi River.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
SHSU is rated within the lower 42% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Sam Houston State University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#747 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#263 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#29 in Best Colleges in Texas
#10 in Best Public Colleges in Texas
#108 in Best Value Colleges in Texas
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 940/1140 |
| ACT | 19/25 |
| Estimated GPA | 3.25 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Aug 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $50 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Texas Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,380 |
| Other Fees | $3,372 |
| Room and Board | $11,720 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,866 |
| Total One Year Cost | $26,194 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,380 |
| Other Fees | $3,372 |
| Room and Board | $11,720 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,866 |
| Total One Year Cost | $35,986 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 27% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 16% |
| General Studies | 12% |
| Psychology | 6% |
| Communication | 5% |
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Students considering SHSU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Sam Houston State University.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=227881 IPEDS survey data for Sam Houston State University.
Current students may use the Sam Houston State University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025