SHSU Admission Requirements

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at SHSU is 84.6%.  Its admission rate is the 40th lowest in Texas.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into SHSU and can you get accepted?

Sam Houston State University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 13,809 out of the 16,316 who applied were admitted.

Sam Houston State University typically accepts and attracts "B" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.25. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 25% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into SHSU?

85% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Sam Houston State University you should:

• Have a high school GPA of 3.25 or better
• Earn B grades in high school
• Score 1050 on the SAT
• Score 21 on the ACT
• Graduate in the top half of your high school class

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

What GPA do you need to get into Sam Houston State University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into SHSU are to have around a 3.25 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.25 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as SHSU accepts 85% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at SHSU is 3.25 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B letter grades and regularly score around 83-86 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #55 in Texas for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since SHSU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.2 GPA range.

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.25 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Sam Houston State University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 51% of students submitted SAT scores and 9% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Sam Houston State University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at SHSU is 1050 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 960-1140. Students who get into Sam Houston State University score in the top 68 percent of all SAT test takers..  SHSU ranks #38 in the state of Texas for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1050 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. SHSU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 960 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 960, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 870, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Sam Houston State University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1050 SAT score range.

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1050, you have around a 85% chance of being admitted. A 1140 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 92% chance of getting in.

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into SHSU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to SHSU is 21, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 18 and 24.  The school ranks #33 in Texas for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 21. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 18 and score in the score in the top 62 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 15.

9 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Sam Houston State University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Sam Houston State University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into SHSU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 21 score has around 85% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 92% with a 24 ACT score.

High School Class Rank

71% of Sam Houston State University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 36% are in the top quarter.

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Sam Houston State University is $50.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Sam Houston State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Credits Accepted

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Sam Houston State University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.25 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1050 and ACT of 21 will almost guarantee your admission.