Sam Houston State University combines open admission with excellent mobility outcomes, ranking in the 96th percentile nationally for economic advancement. As a Mobility Engine institution, the university serves 39.9% Pell-eligible and 41.4% first-generation students while delivering $2,188 in earnings beyond expectations.
With typical tier performance nationally, representing solid but not exceptional earnings relative to educational investment
With above-average tier performance, reflecting controlled costs and manageable debt levels
With excellent tier performance, reflecting the institution's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement
With excellent tier performance, reflecting the institution's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisSam Houston State University delivers strong return on investment through controlled costs and solid earnings growth. Graduates earn a median of $54,211 ten years after enrollment, generating $2,188 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally.
This above-average performance ranks at the 64.6th percentile for earnings uplift among all institutions. Low-income graduates earn $46,400, demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in supporting economic mobility across income backgrounds.
Students seeking accessible education with strong economic mobility outcomes, particularly those interested in criminal justice, business, and applied sciences. Well-suited for first-generation students (41.4%) and Pell-eligible students (39.9%) looking for a large public university that combines open admission with demonstrated career advancement potential.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the Sam Houston State University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/sam-houston-state-university/analysis.
Mobility Engine: excellent economic advancement outcomes
Sam Houston State University ranks #125 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with mobility performance at the 96th percentile demonstrating excellent economic advancement outcomes. Located in Huntsville, Texas, this large public university maintains open access admission with an 85.4% acceptance rate while serving diverse student populations effectively.
Sam Houston State University enrolls 39.9% Pell-eligible students and 41.4% first-generation students, well above typical access levels for four-year institutions. Graduates earn $2,188 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 64.6th percentile nationally on this measure.
Median earnings reach $54,211 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution at the 54th percentile for long-term earnings outcomes. As a Mobility Engine institution, Sam Houston State University combines educational accessibility with strong post-graduation economic advancement, converting opportunity into sustained career growth for students from diverse backgrounds.
Sam Houston State University admits 85.4% of applicants, meaning roughly 5 in 6 applicants receive offers of admission. This places the institution in the Open Access category, providing broad educational opportunity for students across academic backgrounds.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates Sam Houston State University is slightly more accessible than similar public institutions, though the difference is modest. This high acceptance rate reflects the university's mission to serve diverse student populations, including significant shares of first-generation and Pell-eligible students.
For prospective students, this admission rate means acceptance is likely for students who meet basic academic requirements, though students should still demonstrate genuine interest in their academic programs. The accessibility creates opportunities for students who might face barriers at more selective institutions, while maintaining academic standards through comprehensive review processes.
Students should focus on presenting strong applications that demonstrate readiness for college-level work and alignment with their chosen programs. This admission profile supports the institution's role as a Mobility Engine, providing pathways to economic advancement for students from diverse backgrounds who might otherwise lack access to higher education.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Sam Houston State University's published cost of attendance totals $24,517 annually, including $19,020 in out-of-state tuition, $11,720 for room and board, and $1,380 for books and supplies. In-state students pay significantly less at $9,228 for tuition.
However, the average student pays just $16,025 after financial aid, representing savings of $8,492 from the sticker price. This net price falls $435 below the peer median of $15,590, making Sam Houston State University slightly more affordable than similar public institutions.
The substantial gap between published costs and actual payments reflects the institution's financial aid effectiveness, particularly for students from lower-income backgrounds. Net costs vary significantly by family income, ranging from $11,736 for the lowest-income students to $23,198 for the highest-income families.
This progressive pricing structure supports the university's mission of serving diverse economic backgrounds while maintaining accessibility for first-generation and Pell-eligible students who comprise significant portions of enrollment. The cost structure aligns with Sam Houston State University's role as a Mobility Engine institution, providing pathways to economic advancement without creating prohibitive debt burdens for students from lower-income families.
Sam Houston State University graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression throughout their careers. Median earnings increase from $45,337 six years after enrollment to $49,729 at eight years and $54,211 at ten years, representing 19.6% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect a substantial ten-year cohort of 5,530 graduates, providing high confidence in reported figures across diverse academic programs. Graduates earn $2,188 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Sam Houston State University in the 64.6th percentile for earnings uplift.
Low-income graduates earn $46,400, indicating strong outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds and supporting the institution's Mobility Engine designation. The earnings distribution spans from $36,263 at the 25th percentile to $73,178 at the 75th percentile, reflecting program diversity and varied post-graduation career paths.
Approximately 23.2% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, balancing workforce entry with advanced education preparation. Sam Houston State University's earnings performance falls within the typical tier nationally while delivering above-average value relative to student backgrounds.
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician.
68 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
46 graduates
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
121 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
137 graduates
Geochemistry and Petrology.
8 graduates
Sam Houston State University offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive analysis. Corrections Administration leads enrollment with 852 graduates annually, earning median salaries of $46,083 and ranking #1 statewide in the field.
Multi-Interdisciplinary Studies Other graduates 424 students with median earnings of $50,048 and ranks #25 nationally. Business Commerce General produces 282 graduates earning $51,512 and ranks #31 nationally, #6 in Texas.
Construction Engineering Technology stands out for earnings performance, graduating 68 students who earn $83,120 and ranking #9 nationally, #3 in Texas. American History graduates earn $51,573 with exceptionally low debt levels of $10,951, resulting in a value score of 89.8 and ranking #28 nationally.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing graduates command median earnings of $76,500, ranking among the institution's strongest programs for post-graduation income potential.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Houston-Clear Lake Similar quality tier in Southwest (#122 ranked) | TX | 75% | $59,004 | #122 | Compare |
North Carolina State University At Raleigh Similar quality tier (#128 ranked) | NC | 40% | $68,758 | #128 | Compare |
University Of Virginia-Main Campus Similar quality tier (#121 ranked) | VA | 17% | $86,863 | #121 | Compare |
Towson University Similar quality tier (#130 ranked) | MD | 83% | $64,390 | #130 | Compare |
Temple University Similar quality tier (#118 ranked) | PA | 83% | $63,727 | #118 | Compare |