University of Houston – Tuition, Programs & Admissions 2026

The University of Houston (UH) is a major public R1 research university in Houston, Texas, with 48,950+ students from 137 countries, a 70–74% acceptance rate, and in-state tuition of approximately $13,506/year.

The Tier One Scholarship covers full tuition and fees for 4 years plus 2 years of on-campus housing — the most comprehensive scholarship at any Houston public university. Located in the energy capital of the world with direct access to NASA, Chevron, Shell, and ExxonMobil, UH is one of the strongest career-launchpad universities in Texas. Here’s the full breakdown.

What Is the University of Houston?

Founded in 1927 as Houston Junior College, the University of Houston has grown into one of the largest and most research-active public universities in the American South. With nearly 49,000 students, UH ranks in the top 10 largest universities in Texas and holds Carnegie R1 classification — placing it among the nation’s highest research activity institutions. In the US News rankings, UH sits at #144 nationally and an impressive #36 for Social Mobility, reflecting its commitment to educating students from all economic backgrounds.

UH is recognized as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and a Minority-Serving Institution, and its student body represents 134 nationalities — with Indian students making up approximately 25.75% of the international student population, the largest single international group on campus.

The university operates from a 667-acre main campus at 4800 Calhoun Road in Houston, with additional research facilities and satellite locations across the greater Houston metro. It is fully accredited by SACSCOC, with over 200 individual program accreditations, including AACSB (business), ABET (engineering), and ABA (law).

University of Houston at a Glance — Key Facts

Programs and Colleges at UH

UH offers 280+ degree programs across 15 colleges, including 116 undergraduate majors and 150+ graduate programs. Key colleges include:

• C.T. Bauer College of Business (AACSB) — #25 nationally for Professional MBA among public schools.
• Cullen College of Engineering (ABET) — Petroleum, Electrical, Computer, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering.
• College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics — Biology, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics.
• College of Technology — Information Systems, Cybersecurity, Construction Management.
• Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management — Top-ranked globally, one of the few at a public university.
• College of Law (ABA-accredited)
• College of Medicine
• College of Pharmacy
• Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design

Most popular programs for international students include Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Business Analytics, MBA, Information Systems, and Petroleum Engineering. The MS in Computer Science and MS in Engineering programs are consistently among the most enrolled graduate programs at UH for Indian students specifically.

UH Tuition and Cost of Attendance

Graduate tuition ranges from $16,837 to $52,428/year depending on the program. The MBA program’s total cost is approximately $81,500 for international students. Cost of living in Houston adds approximately $14,000–$18,000/year for off-campus students.

UH Scholarships

Tier One Scholarship — Full Tuition + Housing (Most Prestigious)

UH’s flagship scholarship covers full tuition and fees for 4 years, 2 years of on-campus housing, a meal plan, a laptop, and additional stipends. Awarded to top incoming freshmen based on academic excellence. Applicants must qualify for UH’s top 10% class rank guaranteed admission or demonstrate exceptional academic profiles. Apply for admission by the December 1 priority deadline for best consideration.

Academic Excellence Scholarship

Merit-based award for incoming freshmen with outstanding academic performance. Amount varies based on GPA and class rank. Renewable with continued academic achievement. Automatically considered at admission — no separate application required.

Competitive Scholarship Tuition Waiver

Like all Texas public universities, UH allows non-resident students who receive competitive scholarships of $1,000+ to pay Texas in-state tuition rates (~$13,506/year). Combined with merit scholarship awards, this can reduce international student costs substantially.

Good Neighbor Scholarship

Available to eligible students from Western Hemisphere countries (excluding Cuba and the U.S.). Covers the full non-resident tuition premium. Contact UH International Admissions for application details.

83% of Freshmen Receive Financial Aid

UH spends over $120 million annually on scholarships, grants, and financial aid. 83% of freshmen receive some form of financial assistance. UH has been recognized by the Princeton Review as one of the Top 50 Best Value Public Universities.

Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements

UH has an acceptance rate of approximately 70–74%. Students in the top 10% of their high school class receive guaranteed admission.

Undergraduate Requirements

• Apply via Common App or UH application portal (uh.edu)
• Application fee: $75–$90 for international students
• Minimum GPA: 3.0 (85%) recommended
• Test-optional for admission; scores considered for scholarship tiering
• English proficiency: TOEFL iBT 79+, IELTS 6.0+, Duolingo 105+
• Fall 2026 deadline: approximately May 2026 (verify at uh.edu)
• December 1 priority deadline for scholarship consideration

Graduate Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA
• GRE scores (required for most engineering and science programs)
• Letters of recommendation (2–3)
• Statement of purpose
• TOEFL iBT 79+ or IELTS 6.0+ for international applicants
• Graduate deadlines vary by program — check specific department pages

Campus Life at UH

UH’s 667-acre campus is one of the largest in Texas, featuring modern research facilities, student housing, dining, recreation centers, and the iconic M.D. Anderson Library. The campus is a short drive from downtown Houston and directly served by Houston’s METRO bus system.

With over 400 student organizations, UH’s campus life is as diverse as its student body. The Indian student community at UH is one of the most active in Texas — Indian cultural associations, Diwali celebrations, and South Asian student networks are well-established. Houston’s off-campus Indian community infrastructure is extensive, with Indian grocery stores (Patel Brothers, India Grocers), temples, and restaurants throughout the city.

UH competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Big 12 Conference — one of the strongest athletic conferences in college sports. The Cougars are particularly strong in football, basketball, and track and field. TDECU Stadium seats 40,000 fans for home football games.

The Houston Advantage — Career Access

No other public university in this guide places students inside a comparable job market. Houston is simultaneously:

• Energy capital of the world — ExxonMobil, Shell, Chevron, BP, Halliburton, and Schlumberger are all headquartered or have major operations here
• NASA Johnson Space Center — aerospace engineering and space technology careers
• Texas Medical Center — the largest medical complex in the world, 106,000+ employees
• Port of Houston — one of the busiest ports in the U.S., international trade careers
• Growing tech sector — Ion Innovation District in Midtown Houston

Graduate starting salary at UH averages $78,000–$110,300/year depending on field. STEM graduates on F-1 visas qualify for 36-month OPT — giving international students 3 years of U.S. work authorization post-graduation.

How UH Compares

• For a private university in Houston with 100% aid coverage and Texas Medical Center access, see Houston Baptist University.
• For a large public R1 university in North Texas near Dallas, see the University of North Texas.
• For the most affordable public university options in Texas, see our Cheapest Universities in Texas guide.

How to Apply to the University of Houston

1. Apply via Common App or uh.edu — pay $75–$90 application fee
2. Apply by December 1 for priority scholarship consideration
3. Submit official transcripts and English proficiency scores (TOEFL 79+/IELTS 6.0+)
4. Log into the UH scholarship portal after receiving your UH ID
5. Apply for the Good Neighbor Scholarship if from a qualifying Western Hemisphere country
6. Receive the I-20 from UH International Admissions and begin the F-1 visa application

For current tuition, scholarship details, and deadlines, visit uh.edu directly.

Have questions about UH or comparing it with other Texas universities? Drop them in the comments below.