Sam Houston State University Acceptance Rate, GPA and Admission Requirements

Sam Houston State University not selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is 96.58%. This means that 97 out of every 100 applicants get admissions.

Although the acceptance rate is in higher range, You need to know that in order to secure admission to any institution of higher learning, you need to convince the admission staff that you are both mentally and physically fit to undertake the course of studies. More importantly, your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores and IP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Additionally, if you could not perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, as the SHSU is not very strict in its admission, so improving other areas will help you secure admission.

You need to show good performance in your academics and other activities. However, as the acceptance rate is above 50%, you will still have a chance if your GPA was not excellent. You can make up your GPA deficiency with scoring high in SAT, ACT, and taking IB or AP Courses.

Additionally, well written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can enhance your chances of admission.

Admission Requirements

Can I Get Into SHSU Without SAT Or ACT?: Sam Houston State University considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process, but does not require them. Although, it is not strictly a requirement, but the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test for 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.



Sam Houston State University (SHSU) SAT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.

Sam Houston State University Average SAT Score: 1041
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Sam Houston State University is a 1041 on the 1600 SAT scale.
If your score is lower than 950, you may appear again to improve your score to have better chances of admissions at SHSU. It is not strange to appear multiple times for SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.

SAT 25th Percentile: 950
SAT 75th Percentile: 1120

It means that if you have scored less than 950 then you are below the most of the admitted students at SHSU and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1120 or more, then your chances of admissions are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer score than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050

Can I get into Sam Houston State University (SHSU) with a 1100 SAT?

With 1100 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) are good but the admission staff at SHSU tests your all round personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores and IP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you could not perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will definitely increase your chances of admissions. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, then your chances of admissions are high.

Sam Houston State University (SHSU) ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at is 21. This score makes Sam Houston State University less competitive for ACT scores. You need to put average efforts to score 21 on ACT
ACT 25th Percentile: 18
ACT 75th Percentile: 23

Can I get into Sam Houston State University with a 23 ACT?

With 23 ACT Score, your chances of admission at Sam Houston State University are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. College Admission process tests your all round personality and your academics. your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores and IP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you could not perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.

SAT Vs ACT: Which score to send

You can compare your scores in SAT and ACT to average SAT and ACT Scores of the admitted students at Sam Houston State University. More importantly, comparing your scores with 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you better understanding of where you stand. If your score in SAT is near to the 75th percentile SAT score, then you must send SAT score. If your ACT score is near to the 75th percentile, then you must send your ACT Score.

But there is more, if both of your scores are in same range, then it is better to send ACT Score, as in case of ACT, you can control which score to send as opposed to SAT.

Here it is how: When sending ACT Score, you can yourself decide which score you want to send to the colleges. You could take 8 ACT tests, and only send your highest one. This is not the case with SAT, where your score report mentions all of your attempts.

View list of all colleges with Average ACT score of 21.

Institute Profile

Name: Sam Houston State University (SHSU)

City: Huntsville

URL: www.shsu.edu/

State: Texas

Type: Public

Zip: 77340

Campus: Main

Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)


How much a degree from SHSU Cost?

The average annual cost of the degree at Sam Houston State University is USD: 23209. As most of the students receive Pell grants and Federal Grant the average annual net price a student has to pay at Sam Houston State University is USD: 15446

How can I get a scholarship?

39.41% of the students are receiving Pell grants and 48.98 percent are receiving federal grants. So it is a better choice to go to SHSU and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.

At Sam Houston State University, you will have no problem in receiving any scholarship form federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist SHSU as your choice in the form.

How much a SHSU Graduate makes?

The average annual salary of the SHSU graduate after 4-6 year of graduation is USD 52250. An average SHSU graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).

The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 36834



Degree Programs


Bachelor Programs

Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard, US Department of Education, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.

Explore Other Options