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Sam Houston State University acceptance rate & admissions

Sam Houston State University admits 90% of applicants, most. For Fall 2023, 15,014 of 17,582 applicants were admitted and 3,601 enrolled. The school considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional). The middle half of Fall 2024 enrolled first-year students scored 930–1120 on the SAT or 17–24 on the ACT.

Check your chances at SHSU → Compare your GPA and scores with these ranges, and with other colleges.

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Acceptance rate
90%

More selective than 32% of Texas colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class

Test scores
Considered, not required

48% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 7% sent ACT scores.

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class

Admitted students who enroll
24%

Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose SHSU over other offers.

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class

Applicants, admits and enrollment

Applied17,582
Admitted15,014
Enrolled3,601

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.

What SHSU weighs when deciding

How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as SHSU reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.

Very important
  • High school GPA
Important
  • SAT/ACT scores
Considered
  • Rigor of high school courses
  • Class rank
  • Essay
Not considered
  • Recommendations
  • Interview
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent or ability
  • Character and personal qualities
  • First-generation college student
  • Alumni relation (legacy)
  • Where you live
  • State residency
  • Religious affiliation
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience
  • Your demonstrated interest

Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.

Early decision, early action and the waitlist

Early decision (binding)
Not offered
Early action (not binding)
Not offered
Waitlist
No waitlist

Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.

SHSU SAT and ACT scores

Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, SHSU is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.

Test25th percentile75th percentile
SAT reading & writing480570
SAT math450550
ACT composite1724
SAT total (approx.)9301120

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.

SHSU admissions year over year

Entering classAcceptanceSAT readingSAT mathACTSource
Fall 202490%480–570450–55017–24College Scorecard
Fall 202385%480–580460–56019–25IPEDS

Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.

How selective is SHSU compared with other Texas colleges?

SHSU has the 48th-lowest acceptance rate of 70 Texas colleges we cover. Schools around it:

RankCollegeAcceptanceGraduationAvg. net price
44Tarleton State University90%48%$20,783
45University of St Thomas90%69%$19,359
46University of Houston-Downtown90%33%$10,542
47Hardin-Simmons University90%46%$19,555
48Sam Houston State University90%55%$16,404
49University of Houston-Clear Lake91%52%$15,563
50Texas A&M University-Kingsville91%42%$12,090
51Concordia University Texas91%45%$23,131
52East Texas A&M University92%43%$11,841

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Texas colleges →

Who enrolls at SHSU

First-year students who return for year two73%
First-year students from Texas99%
Pell Grant recipients41%
First-generation students41%
Women / men63% / 37%
International students1%

College Scorecard; IPEDS

SHSU admissions questions

What is the SHSU acceptance rate?

Sam Houston State University accepts 90% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 15,014 of 17,582 applicants were admitted.

Does SHSU require the SAT or ACT?

Sam Houston State University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 48% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 7% submitted ACT scores.

What SAT score do you need for SHSU?

The middle 50% of Sam Houston State University enrolled first-year students scored 930–1120 on the SAT and 17–24 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.

How many admitted students enroll at SHSU?

24% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (3,601 of 15,014).

What does SHSU look for in applicants?

Sam Houston State University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: high school GPA. Important: sAT/ACT scores. Considered: rigor of high school courses, class rank, essay. (Common Data Set 2025-26).

Does SHSU have early decision?

No. Sam Houston State University does not offer binding early decision (Common Data Set 2025-26).

Is SHSU getting harder to get into?

Sam Houston State University accepted 90% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 85% for Fall 2023.

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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; SHSU's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Sam Houston State University overview