University of Houston is a public research university located in Houston, Texas, with an urban campus. It's a large university that has approximately 38,673 undergraduate students. Admissions are moderately competitive with an acceptance rate of around 66%. Well-known majors are Business; Psychology; Computer and Information Sciences; Engineering; and Biological and Biomedical Sciences. The six-year graduation rate is 62%, and the median salary of University of Houston graduates is around US$62,377 ten years post-entry/graduation.
University of Texas at Austin is a public, research university based in Austin, Texas, located in an urban area. It is a large university with around 40,804 undergraduate students. The admissions are very competitive and have an acceptance rate of around 31%. Popular programs include Engineering; Business; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; and Social Sciences. The six-year graduation rate is approximately 88-90%, and the median earnings of UT Austin alumni are reported to be around US$68,600 at a decade after matriculation.
| University of Houston | University of Texas | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.8 Out of 10 | 4.1 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 401 Times Higher Education 2026 # 556 QS World University 2026 # 267 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 50 Times Higher Education 2026 # 68 QS World University 2026 # 36 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 72 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 401 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 63 for Law by US News 2025 | # 9 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 148 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 14 for Law by US News 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -120 PG Programs -61 Doctorate Programs -7 | UG Programs -80 PG Programs -83 |
| Acceptance Rate | 66.0 % | 27.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-6.5 SAT-1110 TOEFL-79 | IELTS-6.5 TOEFL-79 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 25991 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 25470 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 26559 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 44450 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 27216 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 17052 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows: Executive MBA: $192,000 MBA: $130,000 Masters in Science: $115,000 BBA: $84,000 Bachelor of Science: $68,000 Bachelor of Arts: $66,000 | QS Graduate Employability Rankings- #54; |
| application requirements | Submit official transcripts Submit English language scores Check program specific requirements | Submit official transcripts of all previous education Submit English language proficiency test scores Check program specific requirements |
| Campuses and B-Schools | NA | McCombs School of Business |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.5/10 Read 15 reviews | 8.1/10 Read 15 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 201 for Business by QS World University 2026 # 301 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 63 for Business by US News 2024 | # 16 for Business by US News 2025 # 51 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 53 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 125/160GMAT - 610/800GRE - 305/340IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 70/90TOEFL - 100/120 | IELTS - 7.5/9TOEFL - 105/120 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Apr 15, 2025 (Fee Depost deadline for Fall 2025 Intake) Apr 15, 2025 (Fee Depost deadline for Fall 2026 Intake) Oct 15, 2025 (Fee Depost deadline for Spring 2026 Intake) Oct 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake) Mar 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake) Oct 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake) Mar 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) | Jan 15, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) Mar 26, 2026 (Decision Notification for Round 2) Apr 1, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake) May 7, 2026 (Decision Notification for Round 3) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of Houston | University of Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1927 | 1883 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 21:1 | 18:1:1 |
| Male:Female | 50% Male, 50% Female | 43% Male, 0% Female |
| Location Facts | UH is in southeast Houston, with an official address of 4800 Calhoun Road. The University of Houston's campus framework has identified the following five core districts: the Central District, the Arts District, the Professional District, the Residential District, and the Athletics District. | Main Campus in central Austin; J. J. Pickle Research Campus in north Austin. The main campus has 150 building with its main visible feature as Beaux-Arts main Building. Some of the nearby areas are Cameron Road, Hyde Park, Mueller, Tarrytown, Downtown Austin |
| Library | The University of Houston libraries include: M.D. Anderson Library (the main library), Hospitality Industry Archives These libraries constitute a premier research facility with large collections in both print and electronic formats. These collections consist of over 3.2 million volumes, 170,000 journals, as well as access to manuscripts, maps, electronic datasets and tens of thousands of digitized images of unique items. | For more than 125 years, the University of Texas Libraries have committed to building one of the greatest library collections in the world. Maintaining more than 10 million volumes and providing access to the latest digital journals, databases and web resources, the Libraries collects and preserves the finest achievements of human knowledge in support of not only research and instruction needs, but also the exploration of ideas and intellectual innovation. |
| Campus Life | The University of Houston is notable for its diverse student body, and U.S. News & World Report ranks the university as the second-most ethnically diverse research university in the United States. UH has several on campus dormitories: Moody Towers, The Quad, Cougar Village I & II, Cougar Place, University Lofts, Bayou Oaks, Cullen Oaks, and Cambridge Oaks. The university has an intercollegiate sports program that competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The NCAA's Division I sports at the University of Houston include baseball, basketball, cross country, American football, golf, and track and field for men; basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, and track and field for women. The campus life offers the vibe of a small community set amongst the urban offerings of Houston. The on-campus offerings include restaurants, art exhibits, activity centers, live performances and athletic events which make our university much more than a place to learn — it's a place to thrive. | 1,300+ student organizations, Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art, Harry Ransom Center, Texas Memorial Museum, Natural Science Center, UT Tower are all offered to students for indulging in their passion. There are over 10 dining halls within the campus. |
| Hostel | #Off campus (not with family) - $11067 #Off campus (with family) - $5508 #On campus - $9984 | #Housing and Food - $17052 |
| Famous Alumni | Fred Couples, professional golfer Dr. Bernard A. Harris Jr., former NASA astronaut Bonnie J. Dunbar, former NASA astronaut Lizzo, Grammy Award-winning singer Jim Parsons, Emmy Award-winning actor | 482,000+ alumni; Matthew McConaughey (American actor); Owen Wilson (American Actor), Rex W. Tillerson (Former United States Secretary of State), Neil deGrasse Tyson (American astrophysicist), Lady Bird Johnson (Former First Lady of the United States) |
| City Life | A good place to live, Houston is the most populated city in Texas and is the fourth most populated city in the entire United States right behind Chicago. Prized for its diversity, Houston is considered one of the best places to live in Texas due to its quality of life and welcoming atmosphere. Best known for its space exploration, energy industry, and affordable cost of living, it is no wonder why Houston has become a top destination for relocation. Plus, receiving high safety ratings, Houston is attracting many families, young couples, and retirees to the area. With a cost of living that is lower than other large cities, Houston is noticeably less expensive than living in San Francisco or living in New York City. The cost of living in Houston is also 5% less than living in Dallas and 19% less than living in Austin. To live comfortably in Houston, a recommended annual salary of almost $35,000 is advised to afford at least a one-bedroom apartment in the city. The median income in Houston is $52,338. Houston's booming job market is one of the many reasons the population is skyrocketing. Not only is real estate affordable but thousands of jobs are attracting young professionals to the area. The most popular industries in Houston are oil and gas, medical research, aerospace, technology, and healthcare. Some of the largest employers and businesses in the area include Walmart, Memorial Hermann Health Services, Shell Oil Company, United Airlines, Kroger, and Houston Methodist. | The city bursts with an entrepreneurial spirit and has internationally renowned music, film and art scenes. The spring-fed waters of Barton and greenbelt trails make the city a perfect destination for outdoor creation. The unemployment rate of the city is 6.7 as of July 2020. Being one of the fastest-growing metros, it offers a great opportunities for students. |
| Weather |
University of Houston vs University of Texas at Austin
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Both University of Houston and UT Austin are esteemed public research universities, yet UT Austin ranks higher in the world consistently. UT Austin is highly ranked among public universities and has a prominent position in international rankings for Engineering, Business, Computer Science, and Social Sciences. University of Houston is also strong in applied sciences, energy, health science, petroleum engineering, and business, frequently using its connection to industry and its urban location, but its international citation impact and overall standing is not comparable to UT Austin.
General Information
UT Austin, founded in 1883, is older and has a more research-oriented profile with huge graduate programs and large research funding, while University of Houston (established 1927) has expanded to accommodate a large number of students and focuses on access, diversity, and local/regional engagement. UT Austin campus, resources, and alumni base are larger, while Houston has strong programs particularly in those areas related to industry and science, with several satellite campuses.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
UT Austin admissions are considerably more competitive, with acceptance rate of 31 percent, while University of Houston's acceptance is closer to 66%. UT Austin applicants also generally have more impressive academic credentials (GPAs, test scores, extracurricular profiles). Both universities have gone test-optional in some ways recently, but UT Austin is still more selective.
Research Impact & Facilities
UT Austin is an R1 university with very high research activity, large dollars, numerous research labs, robust international collaborations, and high citation rates. University of Houston is also R1, and it shines through in applied research, particularly energy, biomedical sciences, materials science, and industry and regional infrastructure connections. UT Austin's research productivity and international reach are greater, while Houston has greater strengths in translation, application, and regional applicability.
Cost & Financial Aid
University of Houston has fairly moderate in-state fees; its net price averages around US$13,738 when grants and loans are factored in. It provides financial assistance to a large number of students (grants, scholarships). UT Austin's price for residents is comparable or slightly greater, but out-of-state is considerably more. UT Austin also offers extensive aid and has numerous merit and need-based scholarships, but out-of-state students pay much more.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
UT Austin alumni have extremely high graduation rates and retention rates, excellent long-term salaries, and a strong network of alumni, particularly in business, technology, science, policy, and international/global fields. University of Houston also has good outcomes, particularly 5-year salaries and local placements. UT Austin's graduates, however, tend to have higher median salaries 10 years later. Both institutions have good career resources, but UT Austin's reputation, resources, and prestige provide greater opportunity.
