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Sam Houston State University
Admission Chances & Acceptance Rate

📍 Huntsville, TX🏛️ Public university📝 Test-optional

Sam Houston State is a public university in Huntsville, Texas, with about 21,500 students and a 90% acceptance rate. Criminal Justice and Business are the dominant majors, together accounting for 37% of degrees. The six-year graduation rate is 55%, and graduates earn a median of $54,211 ten years after enrollment, with average federal debt around $22,000.

Acceptance rate
90.3%
Enrollment
21,480
Test policy
optional
Grad rate (6-yr)
55%

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Admitted Student Profile

The middle 50% of admitted students (25th–75th percentile), self-reported by the school.

SAT (combined)
930 – 1120
ACT (composite)
17 – 24
GPA
Not published

$ What You'll Actually Pay

Average yearly net price after grants & scholarships, by family income (federal cohort averages — not a personal quote).

$0–30k
$12,474
family income
$30–48k
$13,389
family income
$48–75k
$15,540
family income
$75–110k
$21,366
family income
$110k+
$24,101
family income
41% receive Pell grants
46% take federal loans

Strongest Programs

The fields Sam Houston State University graduates the most students in — a signal of depth, faculty, and alumni networks.

Criminal Justice
20.4%
Business & Marketing
16.6%
Health Professions
10.1%
Psychology
8.1%
Education
7.9%

Outcomes

School-level averages across all students who enrolled (College Scorecard). Not a personal forecast.

Earnings (10 yr)
$54,211
Earnings (6 yr)
$45,337
Completion
55%
Retention
73%
Median debt
$21,983

? Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Sam Houston State University?

Sam Houston State University has an acceptance rate of 90.3%, making it relatively accessible.

What SAT score do you need for Sam Houston State University?

The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 930 and 1120 on the SAT. The ACT range is 17–24.

How much does Sam Houston State University actually cost?

After grants and scholarships, the average net price for the lowest income band is $12,474 per year, rising to $24,101 for families earning $110k+. These are federal cohort averages, not a personal quote.

What are my chances of getting into Sam Houston State University?

Your odds depend on how your GPA and test scores compare to admitted students, plus factors like major, residency, and early decision. UniversityOdds calculates a personalized probability for free — enter your stats to see yours.

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Data sourced from IPEDS, the Common Data Set, and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Acceptance probabilities calculated by UniversityOdds are estimates based on published academic data and are not a guarantee of admission. Net price figures are federal cohort averages, not personalized quotes — run the school's official net price calculator for your own estimate.