About Sam Houston State University
Sam Houston State University operates one of the largest criminal justice programs in the United States, drawing 18,138 students to the small town of Huntsville. The university has produced notable graduates including CBS journalist Dan Rather and filmmaker Richard Linklater, who directed "Boyhood" and "Dazed and Confused." Students find an accessible education with an 84.6% acceptance rate and average SAT scores around 1050. The campus sits in a town-distant setting that gives students a true college town experience.
The financial picture looks reasonable for most families. Students typically pay $16,025 annually after aid, with lower-income families paying just $11,736. Graduates earn a median salary of $54,211 ten years after graduation, making the typical debt load of $21,983 manageable with monthly payments of $233. Nearly 40% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the university's role in serving working-class Texas families.
Women make up 63% of the student body, while the campus draws almost exclusively from Texas with 98.8% in-state enrollment. The Bearkats compete in Conference USA Division I athletics across 13 sports. With a 20:1 student-faculty ratio and 75% retention rate, students get personal attention in a supportive environment that emphasizes service to others.
The financial picture looks reasonable for most families. Students typically pay $16,025 annually after aid, with lower-income families paying just $11,736. Graduates earn a median salary of $54,211 ten years after graduation, making the typical debt load of $21,983 manageable with monthly payments of $233. Nearly 40% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the university's role in serving working-class Texas families.
Women make up 63% of the student body, while the campus draws almost exclusively from Texas with 98.8% in-state enrollment. The Bearkats compete in Conference USA Division I athletics across 13 sports. With a 20:1 student-faculty ratio and 75% retention rate, students get personal attention in a supportive environment that emphasizes service to others.
Academics & Faculty
Sam Houston State houses one of the nation's largest criminal justice programs, reflecting its deep roots in law enforcement education since 1963. The university operates with a 20:1 student-faculty ratio, which means larger class sizes are common, especially in popular majors. About 55% of students graduate within six years, indicating that academic support varies across programs. The school has built a strong reputation in education, business, and agriculture alongside its flagship criminal justice degree. Students benefit from practical, career-focused curricula rather than theoretical approaches. The university's proximity to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice headquarters provides unique internship and research opportunities that few other institutions can match.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 79.6%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 55.6%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 55.1%
- Retention Rate
- 75.4%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $54,211
- Carnegie Classification
- Doctoral University (R2)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Master | $91,744 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $74,953 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Doctoral | $70,456 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $69,740 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $68,858 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Master | $68,666 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $66,049 |
| Public Administration. | Master | $63,005 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies. | Bachelor | $60,128 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $59,417 |
Campus Life
Women make up nearly 63% of Sam Houston's student body, creating a female-majority campus environment. The university sits about 70 miles north of Houston in the small East Texas town of Huntsville, home to the state prison system that employs many residents. Students experience hot, humid summers where sunscreen is essential and mild winters that rarely require heavy coats. Only about 23% of the 18,138 students live in the campus housing that accommodates 4,112 residents.
The Bearkats compete in Conference USA across 13 sports, with football games drawing crowds to Bowers Stadium. Students often head to Houston on weekends for internships and entertainment, though many stick around for campus traditions like the annual Orange and White Spring Game. The criminal justice program's reputation attracts future law enforcement officers who appreciate the proximity to real-world experience. With 98.77% of students coming from Texas, the campus maintains a distinctly Lone Star State culture where cowboy boots mix with college sweatshirts in lecture halls.
The Bearkats compete in Conference USA across 13 sports, with football games drawing crowds to Bowers Stadium. Students often head to Houston on weekends for internships and entertainment, though many stick around for campus traditions like the annual Orange and White Spring Game. The criminal justice program's reputation attracts future law enforcement officers who appreciate the proximity to real-world experience. With 98.77% of students coming from Texas, the campus maintains a distinctly Lone Star State culture where cowboy boots mix with college sweatshirts in lecture halls.
- Setting
- Town-Distant
- Housing Capacity
- 4,112 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1879
Campus Safety (2023)
94 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rape | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Burglary | 10 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Stalking | 10 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Domestic Violence | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Robbery | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 39°–59°F
- July Avg
- 73°–93°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 49.1"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
Sam Houston State draws overwhelmingly from Texas, with 99% of students calling the Lone Star State home. This reflects the university's strong regional reputation and affordable tuition that keeps education accessible for local families. Women outnumber men nearly two to one, largely due to popular programs in education, social work, and health sciences. The student body is racially diverse, with significant Hispanic and Black enrollment alongside white students. Nearly 40% receive Pell Grants, showing the university's commitment to serving working-class Texas families seeking quality higher education close to home.
- Men
- 37.1%
- Women
- 62.9%
- White
- 46.2%
- Black
- 17.4%
- Hispanic
- 28.1%
- Asian
- 2.1%
- In-State Students
- 98.8%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 39.9%
Location
Sam Houston State sits in Huntsville, Texas, about 70 miles north of Houston. The university serves 18,138 students in this East Texas town of roughly 45,000 residents. Huntsville balances small-town charm with college energy, though it's also known as the home of several state prisons. The piney woods region offers outdoor recreation and a more relaxed pace than major Texas cities. Nearly 99% of students come from in-state, creating a distinctly Texan campus culture. The town revolves around the university and state facilities, giving it a unique character among Texas college communities. Students considering colleges in Texas may also compare Sam Houston State with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Huntsville, Texas 77340
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $54,211
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $55,590
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $39,300
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 58.2%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $233/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $21,983
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Sam Houston State University?
Sam Houston State University accepts 84.63% of applicants with an average SAT score of 1050. The university draws heavily from Texas, with 98.77% of students coming from in-state.
How much does Sam Houston State University cost after financial aid?
The average net price is $16,025, though families earning under $30,000 pay just $11,736. Students graduate with a median debt of $21,983 and monthly loan payments of $233.
What is Sam Houston State University known for academically?
The university is well-known for having one of the largest criminal justice programs in the United States. With a 20:1 student-faculty ratio across 18,138 students, it offers solid training for law enforcement careers.
What are the graduation rates at Sam Houston State University?
The six-year graduation rate stands at 55.10%, while 75.44% of students return for their sophomore year. Graduates earn a median salary of $54,211 ten years after graduation with a 95.1% employment rate.
Where is Sam Houston State University located and what's campus life like?
The campus sits in Huntsville, Texas, housing 4,112 students in on-campus facilities. The Bearkats compete in NCAA Division I with 13 varsity sports and 401 total athletes receiving $6.14 million in athletic scholarships.
Does Sam Houston State University have notable alumni?
The university has produced prominent figures including CBS news anchor Dan Rather and filmmaker Richard Linklater, director of Boyhood. Founded in 1879, it continues the tradition reflected in its motto: 'The measure of a Life is its Service.'
