Sam Houston State University

Established in 1879, Sam Houston State University (SHSU) is a public institution that prides itself on nursing programs that emphasize excellence, innovation, and community engagement. Students benefit from personalized support, hands-on training, and a curriculum designed to prepare them for various healthcare environments.

Discover Sam Houston State University

Allnurses Nursing School Ranking: B+

Sam Houston State University is a public, non-profit State Institution offering 4 year or higher degrees.

  • Accreditations: ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education)
  • Available Formats: Hybrid, On-campus, and Online options available.
  • Tuition (books/fees not included):
    • Undergraduate: $64,334 (average)

University Statistics

  • Acceptance Rate: 85%
  • Graduation Rate: 62%

College data is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Education. For a detailed understanding of how institutions are evaluated, please review our Rankings Methodology. The displayed tuition figure represents an average cost across all nursing programs featured below.

Sam Houston State University Nursing Programs

  • RN to BSN

  • Online BSN Program
  • $51,712 In-State Tuition
  • 32 Credits
  • 12 Months
  • 2.50 GPA Required
  • Traditional BSN

  • Online + On-Campus BSN Programs
  • $76,956 In-State Tuition
  • 121 Credits
  • 24 Months
  • 3.00 GPA Required

Student Demographics

  • 22 Average Age
  • 37% Men
  • 63% Women
  • 1% Veterans
  • 73% White
  • 19% Hispanic
  • 14% Black
  • 3% Asian
  • 18,138 Undergraduate Students
  • 3,224 Graduate Students

Sam Houston State University (SHSU), a public institution, was founded in 1879.

Academic Programs


Pre-Nursing

Nursing programs within the state of Texas make it a requirement to complete prerequisite courses before being able to be admitted to a nursing program. The pre-nursing program at SHSU consists of anatomy, physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry, algebra, statistics, nutrition, and psychology plus Texas Core.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Admission Criteria for the School of Nursing (not all inclusive)

  • GPA ≥ 3.0 math and science nursing prerequisites
  • Sciences courses (BIOL & CHEM) must be five years fresh
  • ≥ 3.0 GPA in all pre-nursing pre requisites
  • No grade less than 'C' will be accepted for any nursing prerequisite course
  • ATI TEAS Overall Score must be ≥ 70
  • On September 1, 2016, the TEAS V changed its name to the ATI TEAS exam/TEAS V scores will be accepted until the Fall 2018 application
  • Students are conditionally accepted pending compliance with clinical readiness requirements (immunizations, CPR, and health insurance, physical exam, background check, and drug screen)

Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - LVN to BSN

The LVN to BSN program at SHSU is only available on campus in Huntsville and The Woodlands.

Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

  • Cumulative GPA 3.0 overall GPA and Prerequisite GPA (no grade less than a C in pre-nursing curriculum courses)
  • TEAS score must be ≥ 70
  • Compliance with clinical readiness requirements (immunizations, CPR, liability and health insurance, physical exam, background check, and drug screen) 

Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - RN to BSN

The RN to BSN online track at Sam Houston State University is for RNs who currently hold an RN degree. Courses are 100% online to accommodate working nurses with busy schedules. There are options for full and part-time.

Admissions Requirements (not all inclusive)

  • Unencumbered Texas RN License
  • Cumulative GPA 2.5 overall GPA and Prerequisite GPA
  • Compliance with clinical readiness requirements (immunizations, CPR, liability and health insurance, physical exam, background check, and drug screen) 

Study Abroad

Sam Houston State University offers students unique opportunities to study abroad.

Rankings

Best Value Schools ranked SHSU as Top 15 Best Value Online Schools for 2017.

Affordablecollegesonline ranked SHSU in the top 10 "Best Online Colleges in Texas".

US News & World Report, for the third consecutive year, ranked SHSU's online programs in the top 20%.

Accreditation and Approval

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited the baccalaureate program.

Sam Houston State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees.

The Texas Board of Nursing approved the SHSU Nursing program.

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