Sam Houston State University (SHSU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Sam Houston State University
Set among the East Texas pines, Sam Houston State University in Huntsville pairs a practical mindset with a friendly campus feel. It is known for solid teaching across the arts and sciences, business and technology, education and public service. Modern classrooms, labs and studios back hands-on learning, and students find advising, tutoring, counseling and career guidance when they need it.
Life here feels active and neighborly. Expect game days, service projects, clubs that stick, and quick escapes to trails and lakes. The culture leans down to earth, with traditions that celebrate Bearkat pride. Career prep spans internships and alumni connections across Texas, with Houston close enough for added options. Huntsville adds a historic square and local eats. Notable alum Dan Rather studied here.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Sam Houston State University (SHSU) offers 102 degree programs across 26 major academic fields, graduating approximately 5,123 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Security & Safety (7 programs, 1,013 graduates), Business (14 programs, 844 graduates), Education (12 programs, 595 graduates), Psychology (5 programs, 464 graduates) and Health (8 programs, 389 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Security & Safety (7 programs, 1,013 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Safety Studies | 788 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
43.0104 |
| Criminal Justice, Other | 116 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
43.0199 |
| Homeland Security | 58 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
43.0301 |
| Criminal Justice Administration | 27 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
43.0103 |
| Forensic Science and Technology | 13 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
43.0406 |
| Crisis and Emergency Management | 8 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
43.0302 |
| Critical Infrastructure Protection | 3 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
43.0303 |
Business (14 programs, 844 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration | 252 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0101 |
| Business Administration and Management | 166 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Accounting | 113 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0301 |
| Finance, General | 79 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0801 |
| Marketing Management | 70 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1401 |
| Human Resources Management | 29 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1001 |
| Banking and Financial Services | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0803 |
| Logistics and Supply Chain Management | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0203 |
| Management Information Systems | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1201 |
| Entrepreneurship Studies | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0701 |
| International Business and Trade | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1101 |
| Project Management | 14 |
|
Master's
|
52.0211 |
| Fashion Merchandising | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1902 |
| Business Economics | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0601 |
Education (12 programs, 595 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple Level Teacher Education | 322 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1206 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 67 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0301 |
| Higher Education Administration | 51 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0406 |
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 38 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0401 |
| Special Education Teaching | 37 |
|
Master's
|
13.1001 |
| School Counseling and Guidance | 32 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.1101 |
| Instructional Technology | 18 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0501 |
| Reading Teacher Education | 12 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.1315 |
| English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching | 12 |
|
Master's
|
13.1401 |
| International and Comparative Education | 4 |
|
Master's
|
13.0701 |
| Educational and Curriculum Supervision | 1 |
|
Master's
|
13.0404 |
| Education, General | 1 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
13.9999 |
Psychology (5 programs, 464 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 349 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
42.0101 |
| Counseling Psychology | 89 |
|
Master's
|
42.2803 |
| Clinical Psychology | 15 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
42.2801 |
| School Psychology | 8 |
|
Master's
|
42.2805 |
| Experimental Psychology | 3 |
|
Master's
|
42.2704 |
Health (8 programs, 389 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 147 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.3801 |
| Health Administration and Management | 77 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0701 |
| Osteopathic Medicine | 69 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.1202 |
| Public Health | 64 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.2201 |
| Music Therapy | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.2305 |
| Dietetics | 10 |
|
Master's
|
51.3101 |
| Athletic Training | 4 |
|
Master's
|
51.0913 |
| Health and Wellness | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.0001 |
Communication (4 programs, 223 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 114 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
09.0101 |
| Mass Communication and Media Studies | 86 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0102 |
| Radio and Television Broadcasting | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0701 |
| Digital Media and Multimedia | 6 |
|
Master's
|
09.0702 |
Arts (9 programs, 213 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Music | 65 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0901 |
| Dance | 35 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0301 |
| Theatre Arts | 31 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
| Studio Arts, General | 30 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0702 |
| Musical Theatre | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0509 |
| Graphic Design | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0409 |
| Interior Design | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0408 |
| Music Pedagogy | 8 |
|
Master's
|
50.0912 |
| Photography | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0605 |
Agriculture (6 programs, 180 graduates)
Agricultural Sciences, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Sciences | 103 |
|
Bachelor's
|
01.0901 |
| Agribusiness Operations | 38 |
|
Bachelor's
|
01.0102 |
| Agricultural Mechanization | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
|
01.0201 |
| Agronomy and Crop Science | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
|
01.1102 |
| Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture | 5 |
|
Master's
|
01.0308 |
| Agricultural Journalism | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
01.0802 |
Kinesiology (2 programs, 171 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 157 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31.0505 |
| Sport and Fitness Management | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31.0504 |
Biological Sciences (2 programs, 158 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 83 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26.0101 |
| Biomedical Sciences | 75 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0102 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Sam Houston State University (SHSU).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Sam Houston State University (SHSU)
How much does it cost to attend Sam Houston State University (SHSU)?
The annual tuition at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is $9,228 for in-state students and $19,020 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $26,194 for in-state students and $35,986 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $11,720 and books and supplies $1,380.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Sam Houston State University offer?
Sam Houston State University (SHSU) offers 102 academic programs across 26 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional), Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety (7 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (14 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (12 programs)
- Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (5 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (8 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Sam Houston State University?
Sam Houston State University (SHSU) has an 85.4% acceptance rate and a 24% yield rate, making it moderately selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 17,582
- Students admitted: 15,014
- Students enrolled: 3,601
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Sam Houston State University?
Sam Houston State University (SHSU) provides financial aid to 18% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $9,941 and average loans of $5,825.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,475
- State/Local grants: $6,102
- Institutional grants: $6,103
- Federal loans: $5,485
The university supports 2,103 students with grants and 1,660 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Sam Houston State University graduates?
Sam Houston State University (SHSU) graduates earn a median salary of $45,337 after 6 years and $54,211 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $36,263 (25th percentile) to $73,178 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $78,900 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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