University of Houston: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Houston, Texas · Public · Moderately selective · CDS 2024-2025
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University of Houston is a public university in Houston, Texas that admits about 74% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $14,276 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Psychology, General, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Finance and Financial Management Services, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 65% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 5.6 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of Houston is a public institution located in Houston, Texas with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Houston admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 74%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1240 and an ACT composite around 26. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $14,276 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for University of Houston?
55% of enrolled students at University of Houston had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.49, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does University of Houston weight in admissions?
University of Houston reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Class rank
- • Academic GPA
SAT and ACT scores University of Houston typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 570–670, with an EBRW midpoint near 615. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 23–29. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1170 |
| 50th percentile | 1240 |
| 75th percentile | 1330 |
| % submitting SAT | 45.6% |
| 25th percentile | 23 |
| 50th percentile | 26 |
| 75th percentile | 29 |
| % submitting ACT | 12.7% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 29.93% |
| Top 25% of class | 64.86% |
| Top 50% of class | 92.43% |
| % submitting class rank | 68.72% |
How much does University of Houston actually cost?
Published tuition is $9,717 for in-state students and $22,547 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $11,286 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $14,276 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 42% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $10,856 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $26,894 |
| Room and board | $11,286 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $14,276 |
| Application fee | $75 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Houston
| Regular deadline | 2025-06-02 |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from University of Houston?
These predict outcomes at University of Houston better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of Houston
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Houston, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Psychology, General, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Finance and Financial Management Services. Across all programs, University of Houston confers roughly 3,268 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $52,111 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 605 | $52,111 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 543 | $74,757 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 412 | $80,588 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 404 | $57,412 |
| Biology, General | 388 | $62,349 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 318 | $105,956 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | 307 | $84,336 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 291 | $58,563 |
Is University of Houston safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Houston disclosed 214 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 5.6 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 12 violent offenses and 25 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of Houston?
About 18% of undergraduates at University of Houston live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 3% of men join a fraternity and 3% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Texas parents ask about
- Texas State University89% acceptance
- University of North Texas72% acceptance
- Texas Tech University73% acceptance
- University of Texas at Arlington80% acceptance
- University of Texas at Dallas65% acceptance
- University of Texas at San Antonio87% acceptance
- Trinity University26% acceptance
- Southwestern University43% acceptance
Next steps for University of Houston
Common questions parents ask about University of Houston
What GPA do I need for University of Houston?
55% of enrolled students at University of Houston had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.49, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does University of Houston typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 570–670, with an EBRW midpoint near 615. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 23–29.
How much does University of Houston actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of Houston after grants and scholarships is $14,276 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $9,717 and $22,547 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of Houston realistic for my child?
University of Houston admits 74% of applicants, so 570–670 SAT Math is target range and below 570 is a reach. Then check the $14,276 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Houston?
University of Houston accepts about 74% of applicants out of roughly 31,716 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is University of Houston test-optional?
Yes. University of Houston is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at University of Houston?
About 65% of students at University of Houston graduate within six years, and 43% finish in four years. 87% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does University of Houston look for in applicants?
University of Houston rates course rigor, class rank and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of Houston a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of Houston is a public institution located in Houston, Texas.
What are the most popular majors at University of Houston?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of Houston by annual graduates are Psychology, General, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Finance and Financial Management Services. The school awards about 3,268 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of Houston safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of Houston reported 214 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 5.6 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of Houston?
At University of Houston, 18% of undergraduates live on campus, 3% of men are in fraternities, 3% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Houston, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers