University of Houston
The University of Houston is the public Tier One research flagship of the nation's fourth-largest city and one of the most diverse universities in the country, federally designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. It enrolls about 40,000 undergraduates and admits roughly 76% of applicants, with enrolled first-years averaging a 3.46 high school GPA. Business and marketing is by far the largest field at nearly 29% of bachelor's degrees, anchored by the Bauer College, with strong programs in engineering, computing, and the Hilton hospitality college. Largely a commuter campus, UH stays test-optional and draws the overwhelming majority of its students from Texas.
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Houston admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admittedEarly Admissions
Houston does not offer an Early Decision or Early Action plan; all applicants apply through Regular Decision.
Standardized Tests
Houston is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where Houston's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 71.3% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Houston does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How Houston weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Houston's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $15,888 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about Houston admissions
Is it hard to get into the University of Houston?＋
Moderately. UH admits about 76% of applicants, roughly 26,300 from a pool of 34,700, so it is attainable for solid Texas students. Enrolled first-years average a 3.46 high school GPA, and the university weighs GPA and test scores as its most important factors. Competitive programs like Bauer business and engineering hold higher internal standards than the overall rate.
What GPA and test scores do you need for the University of Houston?＋
Enrolled first-years average a 3.46 high school GPA, and UH rates academic GPA and test scores as its two most important factors. For the students who submit scores, the middle 50% scored 1140–1310 on the SAT and 22–28 on the ACT. UH is test-optional, so a strong, rigorous transcript can drive an application on its own.
What is the out-of-state acceptance rate at the University of Houston?＋
Texas residents are admitted at a higher rate than out-of-state applicants. For Fall 2025, UH admitted about 78% of in-state applicants and 62% of out-of-state applicants, while international applicants were admitted at roughly 85%. The university draws about 97% of its first-years from Texas, so out-of-state students are a small share of the class.
Is the University of Houston test-optional?＋
Yes. UH is test-optional, and applicants decide whether their SAT or ACT scores are used in the review. About 55% of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT and 7% an ACT. Among those who tested, the middle 50% scored 1140–1310 on the SAT and 22–28 on the ACT.
How much does the University of Houston cost in-state vs. out-of-state?＋
Annual tuition and required fees run about $11,888 for Texas residents and $27,776 for out-of-state students. Around 63% of first-years receive need-based aid, with an average package near $16,161. Through the Cougar Promise program, UH covers tuition and mandatory fees for qualifying students from families earning up to $65,000, with additional support up to $125,000.
What are the most popular majors at the University of Houston?＋
Business and marketing is by far the largest field at about 29% of bachelor's degrees, anchored by the C. T. Bauer College of Business. Computer and information sciences, psychology, and engineering follow, and UH is also known for its Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership and its College of Optometry.
Does the application essay matter at the University of Houston?＋
Somewhat. UH lists the application essay as a factor it considers, below academic GPA and test scores in its review. The essay is not the deciding piece for most applicants, but a clear, specific statement can help borderline cases and strengthens applications to selective programs and scholarships.
Source: University of Houston Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-11. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Houston. Banner photo by Brian Reading, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).