Sam Houston State University
#1 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Texas- Graduation Rate
- 55% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $54,211 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $16,404 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 90% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 20.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $20.6 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Texas.
Every $1 spent returns $20.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,284,868.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 33% above the national college median.
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Social mobility rate of 2.06% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $20.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.1%
- Top 94%
- Patents
- 7
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 108
- Downstream influence
Why Sam Houston State University Matters
Sam Houston State University is a public research university in Huntsville, TX and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 17,743
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Criminal Justice, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education
Why students choose Sam Houston State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 90% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 930–1120. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $16,404 a year after grants and scholarships — 4% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $54,211 ten years after enrolling — 33% above the typical college, against $21,983 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 26% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.58 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 17,743 students and a 90% acceptance rate, Sam Houston State University is a welcoming choice for those seeking a supportive environment to pursue their education. It particularly appeals to students interested in fields like Criminal Justice, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology, and Education. These programs stand out for their practical approach, preparing graduates for real-world challenges in a variety of sectors.
When it comes to life after graduation, the average earnings for SHSU alumni after ten years is $54,211. This figure reflects the potential for solid financial stability, especially considering the affordability factor—students here often find their pathways to success enhanced by the reasonable net price of $16,404, which is manageable for many. With 41% of students receiving Pell Grants, there's a commitment to making higher education accessible, particularly for those from lower-income backgrounds.
Looking at the practical aspects, the median debt for graduates stands at $21,983, which is relatively low compared to potential earnings. This balance helps many thrive post-graduation, especially those who are proactive in leveraging the university's resources and connections. Students who engage actively with their studies and take advantage of internships or student organizations often find they can navigate their early careers with confidence.
Rankings
- #1 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Texas
- #3 Best Colleges for Criminal Justice
- #3 Best Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
- #3 Best Master's in Criminal Justice
- #4 Best Education Colleges in Texas
- #10 Best ROI Colleges for Criminal Justice
- #10 Best Social Mobility Colleges for Criminal Justice
- #11 Best Online Colleges in Texas
Can I Get In?
How selective Sam Houston State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Sam Houston State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Huntsville, Texas, Sam Houston State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 90%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,041. The graduation rate is roughly 55%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 90%
- Retention Rate
- 73%
- SAT Average
- 1041
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- SAT Range
- 930–1120
- ACT Range
- 17–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 79%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,196
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.69
- First-Gen Students
- 41%
- Applicants
- 16,316
- Admitted
- 13,809
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Sam Houston State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Sam Houston State University is $19,068, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,404. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,474 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,983 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,228
- Out-of-State
- $19,068
- Avg Net Price
- $16,404
- Median Debt
- $21,983
- Pell Grant Rate
- 41%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 46%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,474
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,389
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,540
- Family Income $110K+
- $24,101
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Sam Houston State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Sam Houston State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $54,211, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $45,337
- 8 Years
- $49,729
- 10 Years
- $54,211
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.41x
- Earning > $25K
- 74%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (825)
- 34%
- 100% (825)
- 34%
- 100% (825)
- 34%
- 100% (825)
- 34%
How Sam Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Sam Houston State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Sam Houston State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $16,404/year ($65,616 total). Graduates earn $54,211 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,350,484 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,284,868 (20.6× your investment). The median debt is $21,983, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 55% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $65,616
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,350,484
- Net Return
- $1,284,868
- ROI Multiple
- 20.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $16,404
- Median Debt
- $21,983
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 55%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Sam Houston State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Sam Houston State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.06%, among the highest in the country. About 9.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $84,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.06%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 22.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 9.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $114,127
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Sam Houston State University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 7 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.11%
- Top 94% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 7
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 108
- Downstream influence
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 0.13%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields Sam Houston State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Criminal Justice 20% $42,732 early-career
- Business & Marketing 18% $54,163 early-career
- Health Professions 10% $82,865 early-career
- Education 8% $43,569 early-career
- Psychology 8% $37,985 early-career
- Communications 5% $38,417 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $46,350 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 3% $41,235 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Sam Houston State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Sam Houston State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Huntsville, Texas, Sam Houston State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 90%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,041. The graduation rate is roughly 55%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Sam Houston State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Sam Houston State University is $19,068, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,404. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,474 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,983 in federal student loans.
Is Sam Houston State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $54,211, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Sam Houston State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Sam Houston State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.06%, among the highest in the country. About 9.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $84,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Sam Houston State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Sam Houston State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.58, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Sam Houston State University.
- University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI · Close peer50% grad $54,990 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, VA · Close peer45% grad $54,914 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ · Close peer59% grad $54,384 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro, GA · Close peer53% grad $53,236 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE · Close peer66% grad $56,887 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- West Virginia UniversityMorgantown, WV · Close peer63% grad $55,939 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Sam Houston State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Sam Houston State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.58, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note