Sam Houston State University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Sam Houston State University

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Sam Houston State University is a public university with an acceptance rate of 83%. Founded in 1879 and located in Huntsville, Texas between Dallas and Houston, Sam Houston State University is part of the Texas State University System. Students can choose from 170 fields of study through seven schools and colleges. Campus life is active with over 250 student organizations, and the school features a planetarium, observatory, and 100,000 square foot performing arts center. In athletics, the Sam Houston State Bearkats compete in the NCAA Division I Southland Conference.

Considering applying to Sam Houston State University? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, Sam Houston State University had an acceptance rate of 83%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 83 students were admitted, making SHSU's admissions process somewhat competitive.

Admissions Statistics (2018-19)
Number of Applicants 11,569
Percent Admitted 83%
Percent Admitted Who Enrolled (Yield) 30%

SAT Scores and Requirements

Sam Houston State requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 80% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

SAT Range (Admitted Students)
Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile
ERW 500 580
Math  490 560
ERW=Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

This admissions data tells us that most of Sam Houston State University's admitted students fall within the bottom 29% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of SHSU's admitted students scored between 500 and 580, while 25% scored below 500 and 25% scored above 580. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 490 and 560, while 25% scored below 490 and 25% scored above 560. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1140 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Sam Houston State University.

Requirements

SHSU does not require the SAT writing section or SAT Subject tests. Note that Sam Houston State does not superscore SAT results; your highest composite SAT score from a single test date will be considered.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Sam Houston State University requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 38% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

ACT Range (Admitted Students)
Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile
English 19 26
Math 17 22
Composite 19 23

This admissions data tells us that most of Sam Houston State's admitted students fall within the bottom 46% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to SHSU received a composite ACT score between 19 and 23, while 25% scored above 23 and 25% scored below 19.

Requirements

Sam Houston State University does not superscore ACT results; your highest composite ACT score will be considered. The optional ACT writing section is not required by Sam Houston State.

GPA

Sam Houston State University does not provide data about admitted students' high school GPAs.

Admissions Chances

Sam Houston State University, which accepts more than three-quarters of applicants, has a somewhat selective admissions process. If your SAT/ACT scores and GPA fall within the school's average ranges, you have a strong chance of being accepted. The university offers "Automatic Admission" to students who meet certain criteria. Students who attend an accredited public or private high school and rank in the top 10% of their class will be admitted to Sam Houston State University with no minimum GPA, SAT or ACT score requirements. Applicants who do no rank in the top 10% of their class may also be admitted automatically if they meet certain GPA and composite SAT or ACT score requirements.

However, Sam Houston State is interested in more than test scores and GPAs. The university uses the ApplyTexas application which requires information about your high school coursework, leadership, special talents, and extracurricular activities. The admissions office wants to see that you have taken challenging college preparatory classes, including four years of English, math, and science; three years of social science; two years of a foreign language; and one year each of fine arts and physical education, with an upward trend in grades. If your GPA and/or test scores do not fall within the required ranges, your application will receive individual review.

If You Like Sam Houston State University, You May Also Like These Schools

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Sam Houston State University Undergraduate Admissions Office.

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Grove, Allen. "Sam Houston State University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics." ThoughtCo, Aug. 29, 2020, thoughtco.com/sam-houston-state-university-admissions-787953. Grove, Allen. (2020, August 29). Sam Houston State University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/sam-houston-state-university-admissions-787953 Grove, Allen. "Sam Houston State University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/sam-houston-state-university-admissions-787953 (accessed March 28, 2024).