Texas A&M University vs University of Houston

Texas A&M University vs University of Houston

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Texas A&M University (TAMU) is a public land-grant and research flagship university in College Station, Texas. It has more than 74,000 students, making it among the largest universities in the U.S. It has moderately to highly selective admissions with acceptance rate 63%, depending on the program. TAMU is highly ranked in fields of Engineering, Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, Business, and Military/Defense Studies.. Alumni have strong career prospects with average mid-career pay of approximately INR 80,00,000 (? $95,000).

University of Houston (UH) is a large public research university in Houston, Texas. It has around 47,000 students, among whom the student body is very diverse. Admissions are moderately selective with acceptance rate 70%, concentration in Business, Law, Engineering, Energy Studies, Hotel & Restaurant Management, and the Arts. Alumni have good outcomes with average mid-career salaries of around INR 68,00,000 (? $80,000).


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Comparison Notes

Texas A&M University vs University of Houston

Topic Strength & World Rankings (2025/2026)

Both the University of Houston (UH) and Texas A&M University (TAMU) are known public research universities, although TAMU tends to rank higher internationally. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, TAMU ranked 144, and UH is at around 556. TAMU's major research strengths include Engineering, Agriculture, Business, Veterinary Medicine, and Earth Sciences, with a very good reputation in STEM and applied research. UH is known for Engineering, Business (Bauer College of Business), Law, Health Sciences, and Energy Studies, and is highly influential regionally, especially in Houston's industrial and medical communities.

General Information

TAMU, established in 1876 in College Station, Texas, is one of the largest public research universities in the U.S. with a student body of more than 70,000, a deep military heritage, and extensive graduate and professional programs. UH, established in 1927 in Houston, Texas, serves approximately 47,000 students, offering a large urban campus setting with extensive ties to Houston's energy, healthcare, and business sectors.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

Both institutions' admissions are competitive, with TAMU being highly selective 63%, particularly in Engineering, Business, and Agriculture, and UH being moderately 70%, with intensive competition for Business, Engineering, and Health Sciences. In-state students are aided by reduced tuition and greater access over out-of-state applicants.

Research Impact & Facilities

TAMU is a Carnegie R1 research institution with state-of-the-art facilities, such as agricultural experiment stations, engineering innovation centers, and energy, aerospace, and technology research-supporting laboratories. UH is equally research-oriented, with prestigious centers in energy, health sciences, engineering, and business analytics, taking advantage of Houston's industrial and medical hubs for applied research.

Cost & Financial Aid

Both institutions are public universities, with in-state students paying relatively low tuition and out-of-state students paying more. Both have merit aid, need-based aid, and graduate assistantships, although TAMU's larger endowment provides wider research support.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

TAMU graduates find world recognition in engineering, agriculture, business, energy, aerospace, and government, with the backing of an extensive alumni network. Graduates from UH find success in energy, business, healthcare, law, and engineering, particularly in the corporate, medical, and industrial sectors of Houston, with excellent regional job prospects.