Understanding the SHSU Tuition Calculator: A Comprehensive Guide
Estimating the cost of attending college can be a daunting task. Sam Houston State University (SHSU) offers resources to help prospective students understand and anticipate these expenses. This article provides a detailed overview of tuition, fees, payment options, refund policies, and financial aid opportunities at SHSU, drawing upon official university information to offer clarity and guidance.
Estimating Your Costs: The Net Price Calculator
For high school students exploring college options, SHSU provides a Net Price Calculator. This tool helps estimate college costs by considering factors such as tuition, fees, housing, and meals, as well as potential financial aid. By inputting relevant financial information, prospective students can receive a more accurate estimate of their net cost.
Tuition and Fees: An Overview
Tuition and fees at SHSU are subject to change by action of the State Legislature or the Board of Regents of The Texas State University System. The information provided here serves as a guideline for estimating costs. For the most up-to-date information, it's recommended to review SHSU's official Cost of Attendance.
Statutory Tuition
For the academic years 2025-26 and 2026-27:
- Resident students pay \$50 tuition per semester credit hour.
- Nonresident students (out-of-state and international) pay \$455 per semester credit hour during academic year 2025-26 and \$460 per semester credit hour during academic year 2026-27.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board calculates nonresident tuition each year.
Read also: SHSU Academic Success Tools
Designated Tuition
Designated Tuition is charged at the rate of $194.00 per semester credit hour during academic year 2025-26 and 2026-27.
Other Mandatory Fees
Several mandatory fees contribute to the overall cost of attendance:
- Student Service Fee: \$17.60 per semester credit hour for fall and spring (\$8.80 per summer semester) for the academic years 2025-26 and 2026-27, not exceeding \$250 per semester and \$125 per summer session. This fee supports the Intramural Program, Student Life Support Programs, and Extramural Programs.
- Recreational Sports Fee: Authorized by legislative action, this fee does not exceed \$100 per semester for the academic years 2025-2026 and 2026-27.
- Medical Fee: A fee of \$75 per semester is charged for the academic years 2025-26 and 2026-27.
- Intercollegiate Athletic Fee: \$20 per semester credit hour (\$10 per summer semester credit hour) for the academic years 2025-26 and 2026-27.
Additional Fees and Considerations
Beyond the standard tuition and mandatory fees, students may encounter other charges depending on their program of study and enrollment circumstances.
Course and Program-Related Fees
These fees are not included in the general tuition estimates and cover expenses specific to certain courses or programs. Examples include:
- Music Fees: Charged for music courses requiring individual instruction.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program Fee: Charged per semester to all students in the BSN program.
- Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT) Program Fee: Charged per semester to all students in the MSAT program.
- PGA Golf Management (PGMA) Fee: Charged annually in the fall semester to students in the PGMA program. This fee covers golf course fees, affiliate fees, association fees, and testing fees.
- Master of Education in School Leadership: This fee is charged at a rate of $280.00 per semester credit hour for academic year 2025-26 and at a rate of $280.00 per semester credit hour for academic year 2026-27.
- Alternative Teacher Certification Program: This fee is charged a one-time program fee of $5,860 and a one-time administrative fee of $135 per academic year 2025-26 and a one-time program fee of $5,860 and a one-time administrative fee of $135 per academic year 2026-27.
- Executive Masters of Business Administration: This program is charged at the rate of $7,000 per semester (fall, spring, summer).
"Three-Peat" Tuition
Students enrolling in the same course for the third or more time will be charged a higher rate, potentially up to the nonresident tuition rate, for the hours associated with the course, even if they typically qualify for in-state tuition. This policy is in place to address the loss of state funding associated with repeated courses.
Read also: Tuition at Loyola University Maryland
Excessive Undergraduate Hours
Resident students who reach the "excessive hour limit" will be charged a set rate per hour.
Bearkat Bundle Fee
The Bearkat Bundle fee is an optional per credit hour fee for undergraduate students to acquire required course material.
Other Potential Fees
- A \$25.00 processing fee is charged for each returned payment.
Residency Classification
Tuition rates are based on residency classification, which is determined according to Texas law and the rules established by the Texas Legislature and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. These rules are subject to revision.
Residency Criteria
Texas law classifies each applicant as:
- A resident of Texas
- A nonresident
- A foreign (international) student
The rules for Texas residency classification for University tuition are different from residency rules for voting, obtaining a Texas driver’s license, or tax purposes.
Read also: Affording ECU
Non-Resident Tuition Waivers
A nonresident student may qualify to pay in-state tuition by meeting the requirements of a tuition waiver. This may be applicable to:
- Members of the Armed Forces and their home of record is Texas.
- Students (or their spouse or parent) employed at least half-time by an institution of higher education in Texas as a teacher or professor.
- Students (or their spouse or parent) holding a teaching or research assistantship at any Texas institution of higher education on at least a half-time basis.
- Students holding a competitive scholarship awarded by Sam Houston State University of at least \$1,000.
- Students (or their family) transferred to Texas by a company in keeping with the state’s Economic Development and Diversification Program.
Updating Residency Status
The deadline to update a residency status is the census date (Academic Calendar Q-drop day) of each semester. An individual's initial residency classification is determined based on information from his or her admission application.
Tuition Payment Options and Policies
SHSU offers several options for paying tuition and fees.
Payment Deadlines
Students must pay all tuition and fee balances in full by the applicable semester deadline established by the University. Failure to pay on time or make arrangements for installment payments may result in being unenrolled and dropped from course registrations.
Payment Methods
Payments can be made by cash, cashier’s check, personal check, or money order at the Student Account Services in Estill Classroom building, room 103. All payment items are accepted subject to final payment.
Installment Payment Plan
Sam Houston State University may offer students the option to pay tuition and fees in full or by installment for the fall, spring, and summer semesters of each academic year in accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, including Tex. Educ. Code §§ 54.007 and 54.0071 and The Texas State University System Rules & Regulations.
Consequences of Non-Payment
STATUTORY WARNING: A STUDENT WHO FAILS TO MAKE FULL PAYMENT OF TUITION AND MANDATORY FEES, INCLUDING ANY INCIDENTAL FEES, BY THE DUE DATE MAY BE PROHIBITED FROM REGISTERING FOR CLASSES UNTIL FULL PAYMENT IS MADE.
If a student fails to meet end-of-term payment requirements, the University may prohibit the student from enrolling in future semesters until the student’s balance is paid in full. Nonpayment by the end of the semester may result in transfer of the student’s account to a contracted collection agency and assessment of a collection fee of up to 30 percent of the outstanding balance. The University may also choose to litigate an account on advice of University legal counsel. Should an account be litigated, the student will be responsible for all litigation expenses including attorney’s fees and court costs.
Returned Payments
Each returned item is subject to a \$25 processing fee. Students have 10 days from the date on which notice is sent from the Student Financial Services Office in which to pay the returned item and the resulting processing fee or inform the Student Financial Services Office of their intent. Thereafter, the student may be resigned from the University. (The student should not assume that he/she will be resigned. If the student discontinues going to class without officially resigning from school, he/she will be subject to the grade of F.) Students who have been resigned are eligible for reinstatement upon redemption of such item(s), plus the resulting processing fee(s) and the payment of a reinstatement charge of $50. A student who fails to make payment prior to the first day of final exams will not receive credit for the work done that semester and will not be allowed to register for future semesters until the delinquent amount is paid. The student may also lose their class schedule for future enrolled semesters. In addition, the items may be referred to the District Attorney of Walker County for prosecution and collection. Students will be given the opportunity to be heard regarding any special circumstances.
Tuition and Fee Refund Policy
SHSU has a refund policy for students who drop courses or resign from the university.
General Guidelines
A student enrolled at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) may receive a refund of tuition and fees as a result of dropping courses or resigning from the university, as indicated in the following schedules. Refunds and credits from one department will be applied to any other outstanding balances in other departments. Refund policies were established by Senate Bill No. 604 of the 65th Legislature and adopted by the Board of Regents, Texas State University System, in August of 1977 and by the applicable federal regulations dealing with first-semester financial aid students.
Dropping Courses
A student who drops one or more courses for any given term but remains enrolled in at least one course for the remainder of the semester as a student at this university may be eligible for refunds. There is a 100% refund (does not apply to students dropping to "0" hours) for dropping courses within the first 12 class days of fall, spring, and summer terms. on the day of the deadline to receive a refund if courses have been paid in full. Students cannot drop their last course. A resignation must be submitted if dropping their only course for the term. Students may drop courses online without the grade of "Q" until the census day of the term. See Add, Drop and Resignation Deadlines.
Osteopathic Medical Students
Students associated with the College of Osteopathic Medicine will be registered in course blocks required for promotion to the next semester. Osteopathic medical students are not permitted to drop individual courses that are a part of these blocks.
Refund Schedule for Dropping Courses
- First 12 class days: 100% refund
- After 12th class day: None
NOTE: Class days are university class days, not the number of days an individual class meets. Class days are to be counted from the first class meeting of on-campus courses as indicated in the Academic Calendar.
Resignations/Withdrawals
Deadlines and dates may be found on the Add, Drop, and Resignation Deadlines webpage. A resignation is a withdrawal from all courses and becomes effective on the date it is received by the Registrar's Office. The student is responsible for clearing all debts owed to the university before any potential refund is issued. A resignation will not be allowed if a grade has been earned or a final has been taken. Students who fail to officially resign from the university will receive a grade of "F" for each course in which they are enrolled. If a student is enrolled in only one course they must resign. See Academic Policy Statement 990407 Student Resignations for more information.
Students receiving financial aid who resign, may be responsible for the repayment of certain types of financial aid received during the term. For more information, view the Return of Title IV Funds Policy. Also, review the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy to better understand how this could impact future aid eligibility.
NOTE: A resignation will withdraw a student from all registered courses in the entire term. A student cannot resign from a part of term if a grade has been earned in another part of term. Ex. If a student completes Summer I and is registered for Summer II, they will not be permitted to resign from Summer II.
If this is your first-semester attending SHSU and you are resigning prior to the Census Day (12th Class day for Fall, Spring, Summer), a new admissions application and non-refundable application fee through ApplyTexas.org are required. A student who is considering resigning should visit the Resignation Information page.
Refund Schedule for Resignations/Withdrawals
The refund schedule varies depending on the length of the term.
Refund Schedule For Terms 10 Weeks or Greater
| Date | Refund |
|---|---|
| Before the 1st class day | 100% (Less \$15 Matriculation Fee) |
| 1st class day through 5th class day | 80% |
| Day after 5th class day through 10th class day | 70% |
| Day after 10th class day through 15th class day | 50% |
| Day after 15th class day through 20th class day | 25% |
| Thereafter | No refund |
Refund Schedule For Terms Less Than 10 Weeks But Greater Than 5 Weeks
| Date | Refund |
|---|---|
| Before the 1st class day | 100% (Less \$15 Matriculation Fee) |
| 1st class day through 3rd class day | 80% |
| Day after 3rd class day through 6th class day | 50% |
| Thereafter | No refund |
Refund Schedule For Terms Up To 5 Weeks
| Date | Refund |
|---|---|
| Before the 1st class day | 100% (Less \$15 Matriculation Fee) |
| 1st class day | 80% |
| 2nd class day | 50% |
| 3rd class day and thereafter | No refund |
NOTE: Class days are university class days, not the number of days an individual class meets. Class days are to be counted from the first class meeting of on-campus courses as indicated in the Academic Calendar.
Once a class day ends, any refund will be calculated using the subsequent refund percentage. (Example: If a resignation is received on the weekend, it will be calculated using the refund percentage for the following class day, not the proceeding class day.) The student's last date of attendance/engagement in the course may be used for determining any refund.
The above refund schedules assume all fees have been paid in full. A different schedule applies to installment payment plan participants. Therefore, it is possible that a student enrolled in an installment payment plan could owe more in tuition and fees than already collected by the university.
Students who receive Title IV aid and resign on or before completing 60% of the semester will be required to repay the percentage of unearned financial aid according to the federal “Return to Title IV Aid” formula derived from the 1998 Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. Students who receive Title IV aid should contact the Financial Aid Office for specifics.
Financial Aid Opportunities
SHSU offers various forms of financial aid, including grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on financial need, which is primarily determined based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Key Financial Aid Information
- Students Receiving Financial Aid: 63%
- Average Aid Package Awarded: \$13,393
- Average Net Price: \$14,556 per year
Types of Aid
- Need-Based Scholarships or Grants: Average award of \$9,988 (do not need to be paid back).
- Need-Based Loan Amount: Average amount of \$7,802 (must be paid back).
- Debt at Graduation: The typical amount of loans a student must pay back is \$27,677.
Financial Aid Dates
- Priority Application Due: March 15 (applications received prior to this date will be given the strongest consideration).
The 2026-27 FAFSA is open for Fall 2026, Spring 2027, and Summer 2027.
Cost of Attendance (COA)
COA is the estimated cost to attend Sam Houston State University. COA includes estimated tuition and fees and basic living expenses for an academic year (Fall/Spring and/or Summer term). The average cost of tuition and fees for a typical student is based on 30 credit hours per year (15 hours in fall and 15 hours in spring).
- On Campus: The cost of food and housing on campus.
- Off Campus: A reasonable cost estimate for living off campus in Huntsville, TX while attending school.
Additional Resources and Support
Sam Houston State University provides a supportive environment for its students, offering various resources to help them succeed.
GradGuard Tuition Insurance
Students enrolled in the M.Ed. program may benefit from GradGuard Tuition Insurance, which can reimburse non-refundable school expenses/payments (tuition, housing, and other education expenses) after an unexpected complete withdrawal of all classes (at any time during the covered semester) due to a covered illness, injury, mental health condition, and more. Plans also include Student Life Assistance: a 24/7 hotline that offers students and parents even greater peace of mind.
Guaranteed Tuition Price Plan (GPP)
In addition to the traditional price plan, a Guaranteed Tuition Price Plan (GPP) is available. Traditional Plan rates are subject to change during your academic career, while the Guaranteed Plan (GPP) offers eligible students a fixed tuition and fee rate for four years. You can elect the Guaranteed Plan if you are a Texas resident and an incoming freshman or first year transfer student. For addition information regarding enrollment deadlines, enrollment instructions or plan details please visit Frequently Asked Questions.
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