Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Houston, Texas
69.5% Acceptance Rate
University of Houston — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
69.5%Acceptance Rate
3.46Avg GPA
1229Avg SAT
26Avg ACT
$25,056Annual Cost
$62,377Grad Salary
40.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
69.5%
Avg GPA
3.46
Avg SAT
1229
Avg ACT
26
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1150–1330
ACT Middle 50%
23–28
Avg Net Price
$13,853
Need-Based Aid
40.9% receive Pell
The University of Houston (UH), founded in 1927, is a major public research university and the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Ranked #133 in National Universities by U.S. News, UH is a Tier One research institution known for its business, engineering, and law programs. Its sprawling 667-acre urban campus in Houston, Texas, features state-of-the-art facilities like the Fertitta Center and the Energy Research Park. With a diverse student body and strong ties to the city's industries, UH offers extensive internship and career opportunities. The university is also home to renowned programs like the Bauer College of Business and the Cullen College of Engineering.
UH's dynamic campus life includes over 500 student organizations, NCAA Division I athletics, and cultural hubs like the Blaffer Art Museum. The university's location in the nation's fourth-largest city provides students with access to Fortune 500 companies, NASA's Johnson Space Center, and a vibrant arts scene. UH is also recognized for its affordability and commitment to student success, with initiatives like the Cougar Promise financial aid program. Its research expenditures exceed $200 million annually, fostering innovation in fields like superconductivity and health sciences.
University of Houston Acceptance Rate
At 69.5%, admission to University of Houston is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What UH Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 69.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.46 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.26 – 3.45
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.01
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Houston Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark December 1 for University of Houston (Regular (Spring) — other plans are listed below).
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 113 days left — Regular (Spring)
Regular (Spring)
December 1
Regular (Summer)
May 1
Regular (Fall)
June 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 3, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
UH GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UH is 3.46. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.16–3.46 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.66–3.86.UH GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.46 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.26 – 3.45
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.06 – 3.25
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.05
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Test-optional; ~66-74% acceptance rate depending on source and residency (in-state ~78%, out-of-state ~62%).
- Automatic admission rules are changing for Fall 2027 entry: top 10% rank, OR 3.5+ core GPA, OR 1250+ SAT/26+ ACT.
- Cougar Promise covers full tuition for TX residents with family income ?$65,000 (partial support to $125,000).
- Honors College is a separate, non-automatic application track even for top-10% admits.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at UH
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from University of Houston's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Houston (UH) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at UH. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into UH Without SAT or ACT?
UH considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Houston Average SAT Score: 1229
Admitted students at University of Houston average a 1229 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1229 — Slightly Competitive
A 1229 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1330 SAT or 28 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Houston allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1150? A retake is worth it at UH. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 620 | 570 | 670 |
| SAT Reading | 620 | 580 | 660 |
| SAT Composite | 1229 | 1150 | 1330 |
A score under 1150 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1330+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1250
Can I get into University of Houston (UH) with a 1350 SAT?
At 1350, your SAT is squarely in UH's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
University of Houston (UH) ACT Requirements
UH's admitted students average an ACT of 26.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 26 — Competitive
An average of 26 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 20 | 27 |
| ACT English | 26 | 22 | 29 |
| ACT Composite | 26 | 23 | 28 |
Can I get into University of Houston with a 28 ACT?
At 28, you're in the top quarter of UH's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, UH weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UH
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into UH isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Know your exact automatic-admission pathway before you apply
UH's guaranteed-admission rules are changing: through Fall 2026 they run on tiered class-rank bands, but starting Aug. 1, 2026 (for Fall 2027 entry) the rule simplifies to top 10% class rank, OR a 3.5+ core GPA, OR a 1250+ SAT/26+ ACT - check which cycle you're applying under and calculate exactly which single pathway you already clear, since qualifying under any one guarantees admission regardless of the others.
If your family income is at or below $65,000, apply for Cougar Promise explicitly
UH's Cougar Promise covers full tuition and fees for Texas residents with adjusted gross family income at or below $65,000 (with additional tuition support up to $125,000) - this requires submitting all admissions documents by Jan. 15 and filing the 2026-27 FAFSA/TASFA by the state priority deadline, so treat this as a second, parallel deadline alongside your admissions application, not an afterthought.
Apply to the Honors College separately, even after general admission
UH's Honors College is a distinct application track (not automatic even for top 10% students) - average admits graduated in the top 10% with a 1300+ SAT, but the committee reviews core coursework in English, history, and math closely, so submit Honors-specific supporting documents directly rather than assuming your general UH application covers it.
National Merit Finalists: name UH as your first choice to unlock automatic full-ride support
National Merit Finalists who designate UH as their first-choice institution with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation receive automatic scholarship support covering tuition, fees, and $1,000 research/$2,000 study abroad stipends - this is a distinct, easy-to-miss pathway separate from the competitive Tier One Scholarship (which requires a January on-campus interview).
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes calculate their eligibility against the wrong year's automatic-admission standard - UH is actively transitioning between two different rule sets (current tiered bands vs. the simplified Fall 2027 standard), so confirm which one applies to your specific entry term before assuming you're automatically in.
UH Profile
Full Name
University of Houston (UH)
City
Houston
State
Texas
ZIP Code
77204-2018
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a UH Degree Worth It?
Whether UH is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $68,900, and graduates see a 3.82% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from UH Cost?
Listed tuition runs $25,056/year at UH. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $13,853.
At UH, 40.9% receive a Pell Grant and 31.9% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming UH on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a UH Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, UH graduates report a median income of $62,377, about 54% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Houston. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
| Howard University | Washington, DC | 1205 | 25 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Houston. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Houston. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
Degree Programs at UH
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UH Admissions
University of Houston graduates earn a moderate median salary of $62,377/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at University of Houston is relatively affordable, around $25,056/year.
40.9% of University of Houston students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
University of Houston's acceptance rate is 69.5%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted University of Houston students is 3.46, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.16 puts you in the standard applicant pool at University of Houston. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.06 or below makes admission tougher at University of Houston, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
University of Houston weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1229, and within the 1150–1330 range, keeps you competitive.
University of Houston's deadline is December 1 (Regular (Spring)).
University of Houston charges an application fee of 75; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before November 3, 2026. That's University of Houston's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.