Are you planning to attend Sam Houston State University (SHSU) and looking for a place to live on campus? If so, you might be interested in learning more about the dorm room costs at this public institution. In this post, we will provide you with a detailed overview of the different dorm room options, meal plans, and how they compare to similar schools. The dorm room costs at SHSU range from $2,376 to $4,724 per semester, depending on the type of room and location. The meal plans range from $620 to $2,667 per semester, depending on the number of meals and Bearkat Bucks included.
Dorm Room Options at SHSU
SHSU offers a variety of dorm room options for students who want to live on campus. There are 13 residence halls and two apartment complexes to choose from, each with its own features and amenities. The table below summarizes the main characteristics and costs of each dorm room option.
Room Type | Features | Cost Per Semester |
---|---|---|
Belvin-Buchanan Hall | Coed, central AC and heat, living community for arts and media majors | $2,608 |
Elliott Hall | Female only, central AC and heat | $2,576 |
Estill Hall | Female only, window AC and heat | $2,752 |
Lone Star Hall | Coed, central AC and heat | $3,028 |
Piney Woods Hall | Coed, central AC and heat, living community for various cohorts | $2,856 |
Raven Village | Coed, central AC and heat, micro-fridge included | $3,592 |
Sam Houston Village | Coed, central AC and heat, micro-fridge included | $3,592 |
San Jacinto Hall | Coed, central AC and heat, living community for various cohorts | $2,856 |
White Hall | Coed, window AC and heat, micro-fridge included, pet friendly | $3,436 |
Small Houses (Baldwin, Crawford, Creager, Mallon) | Coed, central AC and heat | $2,376 |
Bearkat Village Apartments | Coed, central AC and heat, micro-fridge included | $3,592 |
Copper Village Apartments (2BR) | Coed, central AC and heat | $4,272 |
Copper Village Apartments (1BR) | Coed, central AC and heat | $4,724 |
As you can see, the dorm room costs vary depending on the size, location, and features of the room. Some rooms also have living communities that cater to specific majors or interests. You can explore each hall and see the floor plans on the SHSU Residence Life website.
Meal Plans at SHSU
If you live on campus (except in the university-owned apartments), you are required to purchase a residential meal plan. These plans include meal swipes that allow you to access the all-you-care-to-eat dining halls (Old Main Market and General’s Market) and Bearkat Bucks that can be used to purchase items at other dining locations on campus. The table below shows the different residential meal plans and their costs.
Meal Plan | Meals Per Semester | Bearkat Bucks Per Semester | Cost Per Semester |
---|---|---|---|
All Access/Unlimited | Unlimited | $150 | $2,667 |
15 Meals Per Week | 15 per week (225 total) | $300 | $2,567 |
10 Meals Per Week* | 10 per week (150 total) | $450 | $1,890 |
*Only available for sophomores and above
If you live off campus or at Bearkat Village apartments, you can also purchase a commuter meal plan that includes a block of meals and Bearkat Bucks. The table below shows the different commuter meal plans and their costs.
Meal Plan | Meals Per Semester | Bearkat Bucks Per Semester | Cost Per Semester |
---|---|---|---|
Bearkat Flex Plan | None | $750 | $750 |
Bearkat Value Plan | 72 | $400 | $1,030 |
Bearkat Lite Plan 32 350 635 |
You can select your meal plan on MySam after you have registered for your classes. You can also check your meal swipes and Bearkat Bucks balance online or on your receipt after every purchase.
How Do Dorm Room Costs at SHSU Compare to Similar Schools?
SHSU is one of the oldest public universities in Texas and has a reputation for excellence in criminal justice, education, business, health sciences, and fine arts. It is also known for its affordable tuition and fees compared to other national universities. But how do the dorm room costs at SHSU compare to similar schools?
To answer this question, we looked at some of the schools that are ranked close to SHSU in the U.S. News Best Colleges list. These schools are:
- University of Texas at Tyler
- University of North Carolina at Pembroke
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock
- University of Central Oklahoma
We compared the average cost of a double occupancy room and a standard meal plan at each school for the 2022-2023 academic year. The table below shows the results.
School | Room Cost Per Semester | Meal Plan Cost Per Semester | Total Cost Per Semester |
---|---|---|---|
SHSU | $2,856 | $2,667 | $5,523 |
UT Tyler | $3,000 | $2,400 | $5,400 |
UNC Pembroke | $2,750 | $2,300 | $5,050 |
UA Little Rock | $3,500 | $2,100 | $5,600 |
UCO | $3,000 | $2,200 | $5,200 |
As you can see, the dorm room costs at SHSU are comparable to those of similar schools. SHSU has one of the highest meal plan costs, but also one of the lowest room costs. The total cost per semester is slightly higher than the average of the other schools ($5,313), but still within a reasonable range. Of course, the cost is not the only factor to consider when choosing a dorm room. You should also think about the quality, comfort, convenience, and community that each option offers.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about dorm room costs at SHSU.
Q: How can I pay for my dorm room and meal plan?
A: You can pay for your dorm room and meal plan through your fee statement on MySam. You can also apply for financial aid, scholarships, grants, loans, or work-study programs to help cover the costs. For more information on financial aid options, visit the SHSU Financial Aid website.
Q: Can I change my dorm room or meal plan after I sign up?
A: You can change your dorm room or meal plan before the deadline for each semester. The deadline for spring 2023 is January 14th and the deadline for fall 2023 is August 20th. You can make changes online through MySam or by contacting the Residence Life office.
Conclusion
In this post, we have given you a comprehensive overview of the dorm room costs at SHSU. We have discussed the different dorm room options, meal plans, and how they compare to similar schools. We hope this information will help you make an informed decision about where to live on campus.
If you are ready to apply for a dorm room at SHSU, you can do so online through the Housing Application portal. You will need to submit a $200 deposit and provide evidence of Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination. The application opens on October 1st for new students and February 1st for returning students.
For more information on dorm rooms and other aspects of college life, visit DormInfo.com. We are your ultimate source for everything you need to know about living on campus.