About
Sam Houston State University, located in Huntsville, Texas, was founded 1879. The school is named after Sam Houston, one of the state's founding fathers who made his home in Huntsville and was a student of Austin College, the buildings of which were used by Sam Houston State University after Austin College moved to Sherman, Texas. The school is one of the oldest public institutions west of the Mississippi, and is the third oldest in the state of Texas, and among the first to provide education specifically for teachers. Sam Houston State University has an annual enrollment of over 17,000 students a year and is a member of the Texas State University System which operates post-secondary education institutions throughout the state.
Academics
Sam Houston State University offers nearly 80 undergraduate programs, over 50 masters programs and 5 doctoral programs. Undergraduate programs typically take four years to complete, and provide an education in the major combined with general education courses. Students may also pursue minor degrees which allow for the study of a second field of interest or to augment one's major with a related education. Masters programs require one to have earned a bachelors degree and have separate admissions requirements and application and typically take between one and two years to complete. Doctoral programs will require successful completion of a master's program and will vary in length based on the program.
Majors offered include:
Admissions and Financial Aid
Students interested in enrollment at Sam Houston State University must meet the minimum requirements put forth by the school, including successful completion of a high school program (or equivalent) and the minimum required scores on either the ACT or SAT exams. Students must supply a completed application through the online system and provide transcripts and test scores. Once submitted, the application will be reviewed and a decision rendered regarding admission. Admitted students will be notified and be provided the information necessary to begin their academic career.
Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants, scholarships and work study programs at the federal and state level. Students in need of financial assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the resulting student aid report (SAR) from which will be used to determine financial need, aid program eligibility, and monetary awards. Students may also apply for external scholarships awarded for a variety of reasons, including merit, cultural, or need. Financial aid must be reapplied for at the start of each academic year and students may be asked to provide additional documentation to ensure the SAR is accurate prior to the disbursement of funds.
Athletics
The Sam Houston State University Bearkats participate in intercollegiate athletics through the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I. Intercollegiate athletics provide students the opportunity to experience healthy competition in a controlled setting, allowing students to learn skills such as teamwork and discipline, and habits such as good health and punctuality. Students are encouraged to participate in such sports as the allow for the camaraderie that comes from the successes and failures that come with a group of individuals pursuing the same goal. Tryout dates, times and forms are available through the school's athletic department.
Athletic Programs:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Bowling
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
In addition a number of intramural sports are available on campus, allowing students to compete against one another either individually or in teams. Intramural sports allow for friendly extracurricular activity and are considered a good way to meet other students on campus. Individuals may form a team or join an existing one, based on the event. An events calendar is available showing when such events take place and the student center provides information on how to participate.
Admission Requirements & Details
The admission details below may provide a better idea of the students Sam Houston State University accepts. The details may include application requirements and recommendations, as well as any AP college credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- Life Experience Credits
- AP Course Credits
Student Enrollment
Total enrollment at Sam Houston State University is around 20,000 students, with undergraduate students making up about 87% of the total student population and graduate students making up the rest.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $11,900. In order to calculate a more accurate and detailed cost of attendance check out their cost calculator here. There is also a $45 application fee for those applying to a program. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Annual tuition range estimates:
- State Residents: $5,200-$6,200
- Out-of-State: $15,000-$17,440
- Charges for part-time students are:
- State Residents: $220-$260 per credit unit
- Nonresidents: $610-$730 per credit unit
- Some programs may have a frozen tuition rate, which means the tuition will stay the same for up to five years.
Financial Aid Details
The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student per year.
| Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Any Financial Aid | 93% | - |
| Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 74% | $8,852 |
| Receiving Student Loans | 65% | $6,395 |
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To help students and recent graduates, Sam Houston State University may offer student services like:- Online course work available
- Classes offered on nights and weekends
- Remedial courses
- Career path counseling
- Employing students to lower education costs
- Assisting students to find work
Graduation Rates
Sam Houston State University has an overall graduation rate which is close to 51%.
| Number of Year to Graduate | Percent of Entering Class |
|---|---|
| Students Graduating in 4 Years | 28% |
| Graduating in 5 Years | 18% |
| Graduating in 6 Years | 5% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Clinical Psychology (Ph.D.) Program
- Dietetics Program
- Music Program
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN) Program
- Nursing (MSN, DSN) Program
- Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Education Program
Intercollegiate Athletics
Sam Houston State University is a Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), with many of the sports being in the NCAA Division I-AA classification. The most popular sports played are listed below:
- Baseball (Southland Conference)
- Basketball (Southland Conference)
- Track and Field (Southland Conference)
- Football (Southland Conference)
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Bowling
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.
Get more information about the programs offered by Sam Houston State University by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Agriculture Operations
- Animal Science (B)
- Agricultural Business (B)
- Agricultural Mechanization (B)
- Agriculture (B, M)
- Horticultural Science (B)
Architecture
- Interior Architecture (B)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology (B, M)
- Biomedical Science (B)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Commerce (B)
- Accounting (B, M)
- Business Administration (B, M)
- Finance (B)
- Advertising and Marketing (B)
- Human Resources (B)
- Information Systems (B)
- Banking and Financial Services (B)
- International Business (B)
- Fashion Merchandising (B)
- Business Economics (B)
- Entrepreneurship (B)
- Project Management (M)
Communication Technology
- Animation (B)
Communications and Journalism
- Media Studies (B)
- Communications (B, M)
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer (B, M)
- Computer and Information Systems Security (M)
Education
- Curriculum and Instruction (M)
- Educational Leadership and Administration (D, M)
- Special Education (M)
- Higher Education Administration (M)
- ESL (M)
- Physical Education (M)
- Educational and Instructional Media Design (M)
- Guidance Counselor (D, M)
- Educational, Instructional and Curriculum Supervision (M)
- Health Teacher Education (M)
- Reading Teacher and Literacy Specialist (D, M)
- Technology Teacher Education Teacher Education
Engineering Technology
- Construction Engineering Technology (B)
- Industrial Technology (B)
- Computer Aided Design (CAD) (B)
- Computer Engineering (B)
English Language and Literature
- English (B, M)
- Creative Writing (M)
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Family and Consumer Sciences (B, M)
- Nutrition and Wellness Studies (B)
- Foodservice Administration and Management (B)
Foreign Languages and Literature
Health and Clinical Professions
- Nursing (B)
- Health and Wellness, General (B)
- Music Therapy (B)
- Dietetics (M)
- Public Health (B)
History
- History (B, M)
Interdisciplinary Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- General Studies (B)
Library Science
- Library Science, Librarianship (M)
Mathematics and Statistics
- Math (B, M)
- Statistics (M)
Natural Resources and Conservation
Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Philosophy (B)
Physical Sciences
Psychology
- Psychology (B)
- Counseling Psychology (M)
- Clinical Psychology (D, M)
- School Psychology (M)
Public Administration and Social Services
Recreation and Fitness Studies
Security and Protective Services
- Criminal Justice (B, D, M)
- Law and Justice Administration (M)
- Homeland Security (M)
- Forensic Science (M)
- Securities Services Administration and Management
Social Sciences
- Political Science (B, M)
- Sociology (B, M)
- Geography (B, M)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Conducting (M)
- Drama and Theatre Arts (B)
- Music (B, M)
- Fine Arts and Studio Arts (B)
- Dance (B, M)
- Commercial and Advertising Art (B)
- Photography (B)
Other 4-Year Public Colleges
The list of schools below have been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Sam Houston State University.
- Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, TX (51 miles away)
- University of Houston - Downtown in Houston, TX (67 miles away)
- Texas Southern University in Houston, TX (69 miles away)
- University of Houston in Houston, TX (70 miles away)
- Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX (82 miles away)
See a list of all the colleges and universities by clicking on one of the links below:
- Review a complete list of all the Texas colleges
- Review a list of Texas state universities