University of Houston combines accessible admission with exceptional economic mobility outcomes. As a Mobility Engine institution, the university produces $7,400 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining debt levels below peer institutions, supporting long-term financial stability for graduates from diverse backgrounds.
With strong performance, driven by solid long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With strong performance, reflecting controlled costs and moderate debt levels
With exceptional tier performance, reflecting the university's ability to convert access into earnings growth for diverse students
With exceptional tier performance, reflecting the university's ability to convert access into earnings growth for diverse students
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisUniversity of Houston delivers strong return on investment through controlled costs and solid earnings outcomes. Graduates earn a median of $62,377 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 76th percentile nationally with earnings $1,834 above the peer median of $60,543.
The institution generates $7,400 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 80.6th percentile nationally on this measure. Low-income graduates earn $60,200, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in serving students from lower-income backgrounds.
Students seeking high economic mobility from diverse backgrounds, particularly first-generation and Pell-eligible students looking for strong career outcomes at an accessible public research university. Well-suited for students prioritizing practical business, engineering, and technology programs with demonstrated earnings success.
University of Houston admits 69.5% of applicants, meaning roughly 7 in 10 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the institution in the moderately selective category, making it more accessible than highly competitive research universities while maintaining academic standards.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates that University of Houston is somewhat more selective than typical institutions in its comparison group, accepting 8.6 percentage points fewer applicants than similar universities. This level of selectivity means that students with solid academic records have reasonable admission prospects, though the university maintains standards that screen for college readiness.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Houston's published cost of attendance reaches $25,056 per year, including $22,191 in out-of-state tuition, $10,830 for room and board, and $1,556 for books and supplies. In-state students pay significantly less with tuition of $9,711, making the university particularly attractive for Texas residents.
However, the average student pays just $13,853 after financial aid, representing savings of $11,203 from the sticker price. This net price sits $1,737 below the peer median of $15,590, making University of Houston more affordable than similar institutions.
The substantial difference between published costs and actual net price reflects the university's commitment to financial accessibility, particularly for students from lower-income backgrounds. Net prices vary considerably by family income, ranging from $10,327 for families earning under $30,000 to $22,969 for families earning over $110,000, demonstrating progressive aid distribution that makes the university accessible across economic levels while maintaining affordability relative to peer institutions.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
91 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
292 graduates
Industrial Engineering.
38 graduates
Chemical Engineering, Other.
81 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
220 graduates
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of St Thomas Higher acceptance rate (23.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 3 miles away; similar graduate earnings | TX | 93% | $59,224 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the University Of Houston hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-houston/analysis.
Top 15 nationally for economic mobility
University of Houston ranks #15 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with mobility performance at the 99.4th percentile. Located in Houston, Texas, this large public research university maintains moderately selective admission standards with a 69.5% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional economic mobility outcomes.
The institution enrolls 40.9% Pell-eligible students and 40.5% first-generation students, placing it well above typical peers on access measures. Graduates earn $7,400 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 80.6th percentile nationally.
Median earnings reach $62,377 ten years after enrollment, placing University of Houston in the 76th percentile for long-term earnings. This combination of accessible admission, above-average access, and strong economic outcomes places University of Houston firmly within the Mobility Engine quadrant, where institutions convert educational opportunity into sustained economic advancement for diverse student populations.
The 69.5% acceptance rate creates a middle ground where academically prepared students can expect realistic admission chances while the institution maintains selectivity that supports academic rigor and peer quality. For prospective students, this selectivity level suggests building a college list that includes both more and less selective options, treating University of Houston as a target school for students with competitive but not exceptional academic profiles.
The admission rate reflects the university's commitment to broad access while maintaining quality standards that support student success.
University of Houston graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over their early-to-mid career period. Median earnings rise from $52,768 six years after enrollment to $58,739 at eight years and $62,377 at ten years, representing 18.2% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 9,812 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $7,400 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing University of Houston in the 80.6th percentile for earnings uplift.
Low-income graduates earn $60,200, demonstrating strong outcomes for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Earnings span from $39,375 at the 25th percentile to $92,999 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory.
The 2.4:1 ratio between top and bottom quartile earnings indicates meaningful variation in outcomes while maintaining solid baseline performance. Approximately 25.1% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both advanced education and workforce entry.
University of Houston offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking analysis. Artificial Intelligence ranks #30 nationally and #5 in Texas, producing 292 graduates with median earnings of $92,271 and a strong value score of 85.6.
Information Resources Management ranks #16 nationally and #2 in Texas, graduating 249 students with median earnings of $75,533. Construction Engineering Technology ranks #11 nationally and #4 in Texas, with 209 graduates earning $83,531.
Business Administration and Management represents one of the university's largest programs, graduating 391 students with median earnings of $62,735. Psychology serves as the institution's largest program by enrollment, graduating 566 students annually with median earnings of $46,311, reflecting strong student demand across diverse career paths from high-earning technical fields to broad-based professional preparation.
Sam Houston State University Higher acceptance rate (15.9 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 70 miles away; similar graduate earnings | TX | 85% | $54,211 | Compare |
University Of Houston-Downtown Higher acceptance rate (21.1 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 3 miles away; similar graduate earnings | TX | 91% | $53,551 | Compare |
Arizona State University Campus Immersion Higher acceptance rate (20.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | AZ | 90% | $62,668 | Compare |
University Of Nevada-Reno Higher acceptance rate (15.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NV | 85% | $60,614 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
California State University-Northridge Similar quality tier (#16 ranked) | CA | 93% | $59,115 | #16 | Compare |
The University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley Similar quality tier in Southwest (#14 ranked) | TX | 85% | $49,620 | #14 | Compare |
California State University-Sacramento Similar quality tier (#17 ranked) | CA | 94% | $64,876 | #17 | Compare |
San Jose State University Similar quality tier (#18 ranked) | CA | 80% | $78,988 | #18 | Compare |
University Of Central Florida Similar quality tier (#19 ranked) | FL | 40% | $58,308 | #19 | Compare |
