Sam Houston State University
Sam Houston State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Sam Houston State University at a Glance
Sam Houston State University is a public research university in Huntsville, Texas, United States. Founded in 1879, it is the third-oldest public college or university in Texas. It is one of the first normal schools west of the Mississippi River and the first in Texas. The school is named for statesman Sam Houston, who made his home in the city and is buried there.
1879
147 years old
$191M
$191 million ( FY 2024) (SHSU only) $1.41 billion (FY2024) (system-wide)
21,679
598
272 acres
Identity
Is Sam Houston State University Worth It?
Sam Houston State University offers moderate value at $16,404/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $54,211, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 55% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 90% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How Sam Houston State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in TX
Ranked #65 of 106 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #4 | California State University-Fresno | 100 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| #5 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #6 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #65 | Sam Houston State University | 45 | $16,404 | $54,211 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Sam Houston State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 12 in TX.
Best Programs at Sam Houston State University
The highest-earning program at Sam Houston State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $67,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Dance at $18,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Sam Houston State University earns $67,100, while a Dance graduate earns $18,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $24,813 in median debt vs. $24,625 for Dance.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,404/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $67,100 | $67,100 | $24,813 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $55,300 | $55,300 | $18,525 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $55,100 | $55,100 | $20,500 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $45,000 | $45,000 | $24,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $43,400 | $43,400 | $21,167 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $41,900 | $41,900 | $18,375 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $38,900 | $38,900 | $21,500 |
| Marketing | $38,900 | $38,900 | $17,500 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $38,800 | $38,800 | $20,375 |
| Music | $38,800 | $38,800 | $21,213 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $38,800 | $38,800 | $25,125 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $38,300 | $38,300 | $21,111 |
| International Business | $37,600 | $37,600 | $24,250 |
| Chemistry | $36,900 | $36,900 | $24,600 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,300 | $36,300 | $23,250 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $35,600 | $35,600 | $23,674 |
| Political Science and Government | $35,000 | $35,000 | $22,536 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $34,800 | $34,800 | $19,833 |
| Biology, General | $33,700 | $33,700 | $25,019 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $33,500 | $33,500 | $20,250 |
| Geography and Cartography | $33,400 | $33,400 | $24,091 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $33,300 | $33,300 | $24,375 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $32,200 | $32,200 | $22,647 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $31,800 | $31,800 | $27,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $31,500 | $31,500 | N/A |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $31,400 | $31,400 | N/A |
| Animal Sciences | $31,100 | $31,100 | $22,000 |
| Sociology | $29,700 | $29,700 | $25,125 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $29,100 | $29,100 | $23,797 |
| Psychology, General | $28,700 | $28,700 | $24,187 |
| History | $28,200 | $28,200 | $22,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $24,900 | $24,900 | $29,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $23,100 | $23,100 | $26,500 |
| Dance | $18,800 | $18,800 | $24,625 |
Similar Colleges in TX
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Huntsville, TX
- Student Body
- 17,743 students
- Admission Rate
- 90%
- Graduation Rate
- 55%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,404
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $54,211
- Median Student Debt
- $21,983