Sam Houston State University
Academics

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How strong are the academics at Sam Houston State University?

Let's cover class sizes, graduation rates, and outcomes.

21:1
Student to faculty ratio
30
Average class size
36%
4-year grad rate

Class Sizes

Class sizes likely stayed the same for you through high school. You'll find that college is much different. Some of the largest universities have classes that can seat hundreds of students in giant lecture halls. Conversely, as they progress and their focus narrows, higher-level courses can sometimes have just a handful of students.

Sam Houston State has an average student-to-faculty ratio of 21:1. The typical school is 14:1. While this ratio is important, what’s more important is how big a typical class is.

Class Sizes
2-9
157
10-19
659
20-29
850
30-39
286
40-49
252
50-99
237
100+
42

Honors Programs

Sam Houston State University has an honors program and/or honors college. Specifics of these programs vary, but benefits of being in an Honors Program might include priority registration, being part of a tight-knit community, and accessing unique learning opportunities.

Learn more about honors options on Sam Houston State's website.

Outcomes

It’s critical to understand a school’s outcomes to understand if your four (or more) years at the school will be worth it. Here are some key statistics about the outcomes of students who enroll at Sam Houston State University:

73%
First-year retention rate
36%
4-year grad rate
55%
6-year grad rate

Majors

Many students choose a school largely based on the what they want to study. The are Sam Houston State University's most popular majors, ranked by how many people graduated with the concentration in the most recent year:

Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
Psychology, General
Teacher Education, Multiple Levels
Business/Commerce, General
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
30.2
170.36
310.52
450.68
590.84
731

The Full List

Major Graduates
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science And Related Fields
  • Animal Sciences, General 103
  • Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations 38
  • Agricultural Mechanization, General 21
  • Agriculture, General 10
  • Agriculture, General 10
  • AGRICULTURAL / ANIMAL / PLANT / VETERINARY SCIENCE AND RELATED FIELDS 10
  • Agronomy and Crop Science 9
  • Agriculture, General 6
  • Agriculture, General 6
  • AGRICULTURAL / ANIMAL / PLANT / VETERINARY SCIENCE AND RELATED FIELDS 6
  • Agricultural Communication/Journalism 4
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences, General 73
  • Biology/Biological Sciences, General 69
  • Biomedical Sciences, General 2
  • Biology/Biological Sciences, General 1
Business
  • Business/Commerce, General 252
  • Accounting 99
  • Finance, General 71
  • Marketing/Marketing Management, General 70
  • Business Administration and Management, General 52
  • Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General 29
  • Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management 22
  • Management Information Systems, General 21
  • Banking and Financial Support Services 18
  • Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies 18
  • International Business/Trade/Commerce 14
  • Fashion Merchandising 12
  • Banking and Financial Support Services 9
  • Finance, General 8
  • Business/Managerial Economics 4
  • International Business/Trade/Commerce 2
  • Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies 1
Communication
  • Speech Communication and Rhetoric 106
  • Mass Communication/Media Studies 85
  • Radio and Television 17
  • Speech Communication and Rhetoric 2
  • Mass Communication/Media Studies 1
Communications Technologies/Technicians And Support Services
  • Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects 51
Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services
  • Computer and Information Sciences, General 38
  • Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance 20
Education
  • Teacher Education, Multiple Levels 320
  • Teacher Education, Multiple Levels 2
  • Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education 0
  • Educational/Instructional Technology 0
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians
  • Construction Engineering Technology/Technician 69
  • Computer Software Technology/Technician 25
  • Computer Engineering Technology/Technician 13
  • Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician 13
  • Drafting and Design Technology/Technician, General 9
  • Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians 5
  • Computer Software Technology/Technician 1
English Language And Literature/Letters
  • English Language and Literature, General 38
  • English Language and Literature, General 13
Family And Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
  • Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General 15
  • Foodservice Systems Administration/Management 3
Foreign Languages
  • Spanish Language and Literature 7
  • Spanish Language and Literature 1
  • French Language and Literature 0
Health Professions And Related Programs
  • Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse 147
  • Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General 120
  • Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General 120
  • HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS 120
  • Health/Health Care Administration/Management 77
  • Public Health, General 48
  • Music Therapy/Therapist 15
  • Health and Wellness, General 3
  • Athletic Training/Trainer 0
History
  • History, General 72
  • History, General 18
Homeland Security
  • Criminal Justice/Safety Studies 731
  • Corrections and Criminal Justice, Other 63
  • Homeland Security 30
  • Criminal Justice/Safety Studies 10
Liberal Arts And Sciences
  • Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies 41
Mathematics And Statistics
  • Mathematics, General 17
  • Mathematics, General 4
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other 25
  • Biological and Physical Sciences 8
  • Biological and Physical Sciences 2
  • Data Science, General 0
Natural Resources And Conservation
  • Environmental Science 16
Parks
  • Exercise Science and Kinesiology 136
  • Exercise Science and Kinesiology 8
  • Sport and Fitness Administration/Management 5
Philosophy And Religious Studies
  • Philosophy 4
Physical Sciences
  • Forensic Chemistry 40
  • Chemistry, General 11
  • Geology/Earth Science, General 7
  • Physics, General 3
  • Forensic Chemistry 1
Psychology
  • Psychology, General 329
  • Psychology, General 19
Social Sciences
  • Political Science and Government, General 43
  • Sociology, General 25
  • Geography 17
  • Political Science and Government, General 2
Visual And Performing Arts
  • Music, General 56
  • Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General 31
  • Dance, General 30
  • Fine/Studio Arts, General 26
  • Musical Theatre 16
  • Graphic Design 13
  • Interior Design 12
  • Photography 3
  • Fine/Studio Arts, General 1
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