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Is Sam Houston State University worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for Sam Houston State, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Stretch
Sam Houston State sits in the stretch band for a typical family. The long-run earnings picture at $54,211 helps, but median debt of $21,983 plus yearly net price of $16,404 creates a tighter path. For context, Sam Houston State's net price is about 11% above the typical 4-year, public school. It can work, but the financing plan has to be deliberate.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$14,556
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrNet price is slightly above average
You'd pay about $1,402 more per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $6,000 in extra cost.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$16,404
Median earnings 10 years out
$54,211
Median debt at graduation
$21,983
Graduation rate
55%
At Sam Houston State, a typical graduate carries about $21,983 in student debt and earns roughly $54,211 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $250 per month, or 6% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
Sam Houston State is a public four year school in Huntsville, TX. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Public 4-year
Texas Southern
Houston, TX
Worth-It Score: 42/100
Median net price: $16,590
Public 4-year
Texas State
San Marcos, TX
Worth-It Score: 65/100
Median net price: $16,805
Public 4-year
University of North Texas
Denton, TX
Worth-It Score: 69/100
Median net price: $15,649
Public 4-year
University of Houston-Clear Lake
Houston, TX
Worth-It Score: 66/100
Median net price: $15,563
Public 4-year
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, TX
Worth-It Score: 57/100
Median net price: $15,225
Common questions about Sam Houston State
The median net price at Sam Houston State is $16,404 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in Texas? See the most affordable public universities in Texas →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →