Founded in 1879, Sam Houston State University. is a Public college. Located in Texas, which is a city setting in Texas, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 17,902 full time undergraduate students, and 2,575 full time graduate students.
The Sam Houston State University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 21:1. There are 735 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Sam Houston State University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
71%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
45
SAT Range
870-1070
ACT Range
19-24
Admissions at SHSU are considered Selective, with ,109% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 22 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
84% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 45% were in the top quarter, and 15% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Sam Houston State University.
1%
“We”re apathetic”
29%
“We know about current events and vote”
66%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
4%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
4%
“We save it for the classroom”
18%
“Sometimes, but not often”
61%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
17%
“All the time, including weekends”
1%
“I”m always terrified”
8%
“I only go out in groups”
34%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
57%
“I feel extremely safe”
15%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
14%
“We bought the gear”
71%
“We live for the big game”
7%
“It”s not really our thing”
20%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
57%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
16%
“We”re a very artistic group”
6%
“Haven”t met them”
2%
“Available in class”
59%
“They keep regular office hours”
32%
“They”re always available”
3%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
19%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
71%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
6%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
9%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
44%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
33%
“We only party on weekends”
13%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
25%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
58%
“There might be people who do”
15%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
1%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
1%
“We”re apathetic”
29%
“We know about current events and vote”
66%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
4%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
4%
“We save it for the classroom”
18%
“Sometimes, but not often”
61%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
17%
“All the time, including weekends”
1%
“I”m always terrified”
8%
“I only go out in groups”
34%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
57%
“I feel extremely safe”
15%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
14%
“We bought the gear”
71%
“We live for the big game”
7%
“It”s not really our thing”
20%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
57%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
16%
“We”re a very artistic group”
6%
“Haven”t met them”
2%
“Available in class”
59%
“They keep regular office hours”
32%
“They”re always available”
3%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
19%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
71%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
6%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
253 Students rated on-campus housing 3.6 stars. 18 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
194 Students rated off-campus housing 3.8 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
283 Students rated campus food 3.4 stars. 16 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
290 Students rated campus facilities 4.2 stars. 45 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
290 Students rated class size 4.2 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
289 Students rated school activities 4 stars. 38 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
290 Students rated local services 3.7 stars. 29 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
291 Students rated academics 4.3 stars. 50 % gave the school a 5.0.
Sam Houston State University REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Sam Houston State University?
196 Students rated Sam Houston State University
Samuel
Prospective04/16/2025
The thing that makes me want to attend Sam Houston State University is the great opportunities they offer with different courses and career paths like for example offering like theology and having some engineering as well. Another thing I like is the campus life I went to visit and I just instantly fell in love with the campus life of the university and how great the people really are there and the culture as well is great it's very diverse, which is something I like to see a University have and Sam Houston really does a lot to help their students.
Jackson
Prospective04/16/2025
I believe Sam Houston is a lively college full of opportunity and a chance of success.
Amarachukwu
College04/14/2025
its a quiet and peaceful campus. Everyone is so willing and there is a lot of spirit within the students and faculty. They have many resources, like a gym(with classes), free tutoring, therapy, and places to just sit and relax.
shelton
Prospective04/12/2025
The classes have good teachers and the wifi is pretty good. And the AC in the dorms is higher than I expected the food in the cafeteria is kind of bland but it is decent. And everything is within walking distance so a car is not required to get to classes.
Alejandro
Prospective04/11/2025
would probably transfer here
Elizabeth
Prospective04/10/2025
Sam Houston State University is a gorgeous campus to be at. Being able to give each building a name makes it feel more like home; It reminds me of going to summer camp and sleeping in the "Bear" cabin. I was also drawn by their options for the maths and sciences, which is something I've always been interested in. Seeing as the University offered great programs for physics, I decided Sam Houston would be my top choice of attendance.
Samantha
Prospective04/05/2025
What attracts me to Sam Houston State University is its strong sense of community and commitment to student success. Coming from a big family and facing financial challenges, I've learned to the value of support, hard work, and staying focused on my goals. SHSU's Biological Sciences major with a Biomedical science concentration, along with its Pre-Health Professional Programs, align perfectly with my dream of becoming a doctor. The smaller class sizes, research opportunities, and access to dedicated advisors make me feel like I'd be seen, supported, and challenged in the best ways. I'm also drawn to the vibrant student life, I'm someone who tries to bring humor and positive energy wherever I go, and SHSU offers plenty of opportunities to get involved and give back. Overall, I'd give Sam Houston State a ten out of ten. I believe it's a place where I know I can grow, serve, and succeed.
Kimberly
Prospective04/04/2025
What attracted me to Sam Houston State University was their program for Criminology. I was told by teachers that SHSU could be a better fit for me considering the major I'm interested in.
Kassidy
Prospective04/03/2025
I love the "at home" vibe you get when you step onto the campus of Sam Houston State University. I have family alumni who graduated from SHSU and I love hearing stories from them about their time at university. The students and tour guides were friendly to me as well when I toured their campus this summer.
Anna
03/03/2025
I've only visited Sam to get to see how the school was like and I loved the school because it has everything I've been looking for in a school and most importantly it has my career choice! The campus is not big, but not small, you definitely will need to do some walking when transitioning to other classes. I like that everyone seems to be involved in school activities! Will be definitely applying!
Dulce
11/24/2024
I think Sam Houston is great. Its the perfect size, and I love how the school has historical sites as well. All the buildings are super nice and its very inviting.
Caitlin
11/13/2024
Overall, I'd say Sam Houston State University isn't a terrible university. It's actually really nice, there are plenty of student organizations to choose from and join. These organizations offer a lot of opportunities to make friends, learn about potential career opportunities, or just to have fun. My personal favorite organization is the Society for Forensic Science, they often have guest speakers once a month, who are of course in a forensic-related job. They also have general meetings where students can play trivia games or even watch movies, all related to forensics. Another great organization that I can mention is MAPS (Minority Association of Premedical Students), they are very active and try to have meetings once a week. They sometimes have guest speakers, and they really help with looking for shadowing or clinical experience. We also have great professors. Yes, there are some bad eggs, but I'd say the good outweigh the bad by far. Another thing to mention is our Student Involvement office, I love their social media presence. They aren't afraid to hop onto a social media trend and join the masses to reach their target audience, which is us, the students. Also, SHSU offers a variety of academic resources to choose from, including the Academic Success Center, the First-Generation Center, and TRIO SSS to name a few.
Joana
09/23/2024
Sam Houston is a great campus, not only in academics but in the atmosphere as well. Everyone here is willing to help you succeed, your professors and the school president are here to support you. They are very involved with their students so that you feel safe and at home, they always hear students' concerns and apply them to future use too. There are many activities around campus so you're never stuck in your dorm and they are always welcoming to everyone. The dorms and buildings are up to date and you rarely see anything suspicious happen but in case of an emergency, the school is always on top of things. Raising your voice about concerns or opinions will never go unheard, especially if you need help. This campus is a great choice for anyone, see you here if you get in!
Arnulfo
05/30/2024
Amazing Campus! Overall great opportunities and incredible resources.
Allyiah
05/16/2024
Hate everything about it. Way too expensive and not any more challenging than my cheap community college. The professors are fine, but the opportunities for the online students are meager and pathetic. I'm transferring. Would not recommend to anyone.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Sam Houston State University is 71%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
If I could go back and talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to never get overwhelmed and to just breathe whenever things are getting tough. My first semester of college had many moments of worrying and sometimes just pure panic. Moving to a new town was definitely scary, but when I finally relaxed and adapted to the change I discovered many new friends that were there for me. Starting college classes was intimidating, but when I took deep breaths through all the exams and the essays I found out that I was capable of a 4.00 GPA. So, if I could go back to my high school self I would say to just "Pause, relax, and breathe" and things will work out.
What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?
Well its pretty simple, they don't have a men's varsity soccer team. They just have club soccer which isn't that big. But it would be much better if they had a real big soccer program at this university.
A couple of my classmates and I really enjoy this great experience were having at Sam Houston State University. It's fun attending here because you get to meet alot of new people from all over the world. I'm glad that im a proud Bearkat.
The best thing about my school is the openness, yet compactness, of the campus and the safe feeling you get when you walk around, regardless of the time. Also, the friendliness and availablity that the professors make themselves available to their students is very efficient and helpful if you fall behind in class, have questions about grades, or even need their personal opinions.
What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?
On campus, Friendly/ Responsive Faculty and students. It is very easy to make friends in almost all classes. It is nice that it is a small town and everything is close by. The prices are amazing and very college friendly: movies are $3 before 6pm and bowling is $6. The campus is a beautiful and classes are never too far to walk.
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?
I wish I had enrolled in this school before attending a private math and science college up north. This school has the quality of a private university with the state college cost, and the professors here have more background and experience than that joke of a forty thousand dollar a year institution I transfered out of. Given the experience of a typical state university, students have more leeway to explore what they want to study from chemistry to literature.
My university is best known for its amazing criminal justice degree program and its fantastic teaching certification program. Underneath the surface though, Sam Houston State University has a strength in almost all of the majors that they offer. Its English Department ranks in the top markings in the state and provides great professors, many with backgrounds in writing and literature from personal experience. The Art Department is very well rounded as well, providing students with a strong background in many unique forms of artwork.
What kind of person should not attend this school?
A person that is not willing to get involved should not attend this school. We are very involveled with our community and with so many organizations it is hard to not be involved. Also most students that go to sam houston are known for having southern manners and being respectful and do not take kidly to rude, dishonest people.
Anyone who wants to learn and experience new things should come to this school. Every professor and faculty member genuinely wants each student to succeed and walk away with a great deal of knowledge. The campus is located in a slightly small town, so any person who is used to the big city should prepare themselves for a culture shock. This is nothing to be scared of though. The town is still fun and the people are very friendly and welcoming. Overall, I have enjoyed my time here and I am looking forward for the next couple years.
Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!
It is one of the best Educator Preparation Programs that are available. I have talked to numerous potential employers and all of them said Sam Houston has sent them wonderful teachers and they would consider Sam Houston State University graduate applicants above all else.
What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?
The students at Sam Houston State University are of all types. Like all colleges, there are the frat guys and sorority girls, the hard-core athletes, the study-buddies, and of course the country folk. Despite the many differences between the students in these various stereotypes, we all manage to come together and bond over our Bearkat pride! At any student event, it is not uncommon to see a preppy cheerleader sitting next to a scrawny guy with glasses, right beside a hipster in skinny jeans and a beanie. Everyone here at Sam Houston State is so accepting of each other that it is impossible not to find a group or two that are tailored to fit you.
How often should I phone home? Is once a day too much?
No. If you need to phone home olnce a day that is fine. Over time you will find some days you will not phone home and over time you will probably end up phoning home only a 3 or 4 times a week. But once a day is not too much especailly when you are away from home for the first time.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
92% of students attending Sam Houston State University receive some sort of financial aid.
48% were awarded federal grants.60%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.
