University of Houston
- Graduation Rate
- 65% C+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $62,377 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $14,276 C+
- 17% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 74% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 26.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $26.8 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $26.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,471,589.
What The Data Says
-
A B overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Graduates earn 53% more than the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $26.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- World Rank
- #301-350
- Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 24/100
- Times Higher Education
Why University of Houston Matters
University of Houston is a public research university in Houston, TX ranked #301-350 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 38,380
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, Psychology, Engineering
Why students choose University of Houston
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 74% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1160–1340. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $14,276 a year after grants and scholarships — 17% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $62,377 ten years after enrolling — 53% above the typical college, against $18,194 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.58 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With nearly 38,400 students, the University of Houston is a vibrant choice for those looking to immerse themselves in a large, diverse community. It’s particularly well-suited for individuals interested in Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, Psychology, Engineering, or Biology & Biomedical studies. The 74% acceptance rate means that many aspiring students have a good chance of joining this dynamic environment, where they can connect with peers from various backgrounds.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average salary of $62,377 within ten years, which speaks to the value of a degree from this university. The graduation rate of 65% indicates that a solid portion of students complete their studies, and considering the economic landscape, this can translate into upward mobility for many. Affordability plays a role too, making it accessible for a range of students, especially since 42% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants.
When it comes to finances, the net price after aid stands at $14,276, and the median debt for graduates is $18,194. This manageable debt load suggests that many students can thrive here without being overwhelmed by financial burdens. Those who do best often embrace the university's spirited culture and take advantage of the resources available, making the most of their college experience.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Houston is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Houston? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Houston, Texas, University of Houston admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 74%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,250. The graduation rate is roughly 65%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 74%
- Retention Rate
- 87%
- SAT Average
- 1250
- ACT Midpoint
- 26
- SAT Range
- 1160–1340
- ACT Range
- 23–29
- Full-Time Faculty
- 80%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $13,242
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 21:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.76
- First-Gen Students
- 40%
- Applicants
- 29,783
- Admitted
- 19,728
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2025-26
The acceptance rate tells you how hard University of Houston is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 25% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school many admits weigh against other offers.
- Yield Rate
- 25%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 55%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 7%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 62% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Houston? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Houston is $22,547, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,276. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,929 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,194 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,717
- Out-of-State
- $22,547
- Avg Net Price
- $14,276
- Median Debt
- $18,194
- Pell Grant Rate
- 42%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 32%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,929
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,220
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $12,528
- Family Income $110K+
- $23,811
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of Houston — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Houston Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Houston earn a median of $62,377, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $52,768
- 8 Years
- $58,739
- 10 Years
- $62,377
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.29x
- Earning > $25K
- 75%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,418)
- 36%
- 100% (1,418)
- 36%
- 100% (1,418)
- 36%
- 100% (1,418)
- 36%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Houston Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Houston delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $14,276/year ($57,104 total). Graduates earn $62,377 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,528,693 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,471,589 (26.8× your investment). The median debt is $18,194, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 65% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $57,104
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,528,693
- Net Return
- $1,471,589
- ROI Multiple
- 26.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $14,276
- Median Debt
- $18,194
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 65%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 24/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 24/100
- Citation impact (THE)
- Industry Engagement
- 31/100
- Knowledge transfer (THE)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields University of Houston awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 29% $70,085 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 10% $80,393 early-career
- Psychology 9% $39,212 early-career
- Engineering 7% $88,611 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 6% $39,882 early-career
- Health Professions 5% $81,817 early-career
- Social Sciences 5% $48,440 early-career
- Communications 4% $45,655 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Houston's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Houston? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Houston, Texas, University of Houston admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 74%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,250. The graduation rate is roughly 65%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Houston? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Houston is $22,547, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $14,276. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,929 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,194 in federal student loans.
Is University of Houston Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Houston earn a median of $62,377, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is University of Houston? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Houston. Its economic connectedness score is 1.58, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
How Research-Intensive Is University of Houston? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places University of Houston at #301-350 worldwide. Its profile spans a research score of 24/100, teaching at 37/100, and citation impact of 24/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
Does University of Houston offer Early Decision?
No. University of Houston does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2025-26 Common Data Set).
Is University of Houston really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 62% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at University of Houston (2025-26 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at University of Houston?
About 25% of admitted students choose to enroll at University of Houston — its yield rate (2025-26 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Houston.
- Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington, IN · Close peer81% grad $63,742 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of North TexasDenton, TX · Close peer60% grad $57,010 earn 72% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington, TX · Close peer55% grad $63,199 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Texas Tech UniversityLubbock, TX · Close peer68% grad $62,454 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of ArizonaTucson, AZ · Close peer67% grad $59,979 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge, LA · Close peer70% grad $61,251 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Houston? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Houston. Its economic connectedness score is 1.58, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note