Overview of the University of Houston

The University of Houston is a large public institution with an acceptance rate of 62%. Founded in 1927, U of H is today the four-campus University of Houston system’s flagship campus. The university offers over 100 major and minor programs for undergraduates, and business is particularly popular. Students are backed by a 22 to 1 student/faculty ratio, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations. The Houston Cougars play in the NCAA Division I American Athletic Conference.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 46,324 (38,348 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 50 percent male/50 percent female
• 73 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $11,276 (in-state); $26,936 (out-of-state)
• Books: $1,338
• Room and Board: $9,368
• Other Expenses: $4,052
• Total Cost: $26,034 (in-state); $41,694 (out-of-state)

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 86 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 76 percent
  • Loans: 39 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $7,309
  • Loans: $6,650

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Engineering; Psychology; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; and Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 85 percent
• Transfer-Out Rate: 11 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 30 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 59 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Track and Field
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball

Overview of University of Houston Admissions

The University of Houston, which accepts over half of applicants, has a moderately selective admissions procedure. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. Applicants must complete an online application and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the application process’s next steps. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data                        

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, the University of Houston had an acceptance rate of 62%. This means For every 100 students who submitted applications, 62 students gained admission, making the University of Houston’s admissions procedure moderately competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 88% of students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of the University of Houston’s students fall within the top 35% nationally on the SAT.  50% of admitted students scored between 570 and 650 on the evidence-based reading and writing part, while 25% scored under 570 and 25% scored over 650. 50% of students scored between 560 and 660 on the math part, while 25% scored under 560, and 25% scored over 660. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1310 or greater will have a competitive advantage at the University of Houston.

ACT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 35% of students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of the University of Houston’s students fall within the top 37% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of admitted students to U of H received a cumulative ACT score between 22 and 28, while 25% scored over 28, and 25% scored under 22.

GPA

In 2019, the mean high school GPA for a University of Houston first-year students was 3.75, and 83% of all incoming students had a 3.5 or higher GPA. Successful applicants to the University of Houston have A grades primarily. In 2018, 32% of incoming University of Houston students ranked in the top 10% of their high school class, and 66% were in the top 25%.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for the University of Houston, it should be easy to gain admissions to the schools below. If the University of Houston is currently out of your reach, you will be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

University of Alabama, Quinnipiac University, Ohio University, University of North Texas, California State University Long Beach, Pace University, Florida Gulf Coast University

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for the University of Houston, you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Temple University, Auburn University, University of Arizona, Seton Hall University, University of California, Riverside, San Diego State University, University of Oklahoma

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than the University of Houston. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

University of Connecticut, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Syracuse University, United States Military Academy, Penn State University Park, University of Cincinnati

Applying to the University of Houston

Application Deadline: Rolling

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://www.uh.edu/undergraduate-admissions/apply/freshman/index

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://www.uh.edu/undergraduate-admissions/apply/

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://www.uh.edu/graduate-school/admissions/contacts-and-deadlines/index

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://www.uh.edu/graduate-school/admissions/how-to-apply/index