SHSU Admission Requirements

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Huntsville, TX
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SHSU Admission Overview

SHSU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year SHSU admitted 90.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 930-1120 / ACT 17-24. SHSU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

SHSU is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.shsu.edu/admissions/apply/freshmen-steps-checklist

SHSU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

90.3%

Admission Standards

Very Easy

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The SHSU acceptance rate is 90.3%. Last year, 15,506 of 17,179 applicants were admitted. That is the 51st lowest acceptance rate in Texas.

Admission Selectivity

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

SHSU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 21% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

SHSU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.25*

Typical High School Grades

B+

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.25*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

SHSU has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.25 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. SHSU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.2 GPA range.

*3.25 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

SHSU Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

Sam Houston State University is test-optional for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 admissions cycle. SAT or ACT scores are not required for admission. You are automatically admitted with an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher, or if you rank in the top 10 percent of your class, without submitting scores. Applicants with a lower GPA may still be admitted automatically with matching SAT or ACT scores, and others receive a holistic review. Scores remain useful for some scholarships.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.shsu.edu/admissions/apply/freshmen-steps-checklist

SHSU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

930-1120

Freshmen who sent SAT

52%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 480
Math 450
Composite 930

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 570
Math 550
Composite 1120

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at SHSU typically score around a 1030 SAT (middle 50% 930–1120) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 45th percentile nationally. SHSU ranks #47 in the state of Texas for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 930 to 1120

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

SHSU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1030 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Sam Houston State University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1120+	Above 75th	>94%
1030 to 1120	Avg +	90%-94%
930 to 1030	Avg -	83%-90%
Below 930	Below mid-50	<83%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

SHSU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

17-24

Freshmen reporting ACT

25th Percentile Scores

English 18
Math 16
Composite 17

75th Percentile Scores

English 26
Math 22
Composite 24

Average ACT

Incoming testers at SHSU typically have around a 20 ACT (mid-50 17–24) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 51st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. SHSU places #44 among colleges in Texas for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 17 to 24

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to SHSU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 20.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Sam Houston State University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
24+	Above 75th	>95%
20 to 24	Avg +	90%-95%
17 to 20	Avg -	84%-90%
Below 17	Below mid-50	<84%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

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.

High School Class Rank for admitted Sam Houston State University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	11%
Top 25% of class	36%
Top 50% of class	71%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the SHSU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Sam Houston State University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	11,213	5,966	17,179
Accepted	10,249	5,257	15,506
Acceptance Rate	91%	88%	90%
Enrolled	2,032	1,238	3,270
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	20%	24%	21%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

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

Sam Houston State University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

335

Applicants have 335 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Aug 1, 2027.

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Sam Houston State University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

SHSU is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 90.3% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (930-1120); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025