
The University of Houston is a state university system with a main campus in Houston, Texas, a downtown campus, and branches in Clear Lake and Victoria. The university also has instructional sites in Sugar Land and Katy, where it provides upper-level undergraduate and graduate programs. The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 37,946 students as of Fall 2023, with a gender distribution of 48.1% male students and 51.9% female students. The total enrollment for the university system is approximately 47,000 students, who come from diverse backgrounds across the nation and over 140 countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total Enrollment | 47,000 |
| Undergraduate Enrollment | 37,946 (fall 2023) |
| Gender Distribution (Undergraduates) | 48.1% male, 51.9% female |
| Students Living in College Housing (Undergraduates) | 18% |
| Number of Intercollegiate Sports Teams | 17 |
| Number of Student Organizations | More than 500 |
| Campus Size | 894 acres |
| Year Founded | 1927 |
| Founding Campus of University of Houston System | Yes |
| Classification | Doctoral University with Very High Research Activity |
| Annual Research Spending | $240 million |
| Number of Research Centers and Institutes | More than 35 |
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What You'll Learn

The University of Houston has around 47,000 students
The University of Houston is a state university system consisting of a main campus in Houston, Texas, a downtown campus, and branches in Clear Lake and Victoria. There are additional locations in Cinco Ranch and Sugar Land, which provide upper-level undergraduate and graduate programs. The university's campus spans 894 acres and includes two instructional sites in Sugar Land and Katy.
The main campus consists of 12 colleges, including the Cullen College of Engineering, the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership, a graduate school of social work, a law centre, and colleges of technology, optometry, and pharmacy. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs.
The University of Houston began as Houston Junior College in 1927 and was elevated to university status in 1934. The university is home to notable alumni, including athletes Elvin Hayes and Carl Lewis, actor Jim Parsons, artist Julian Schnabel, and politicians Tom DeLay and Elizabeth Warren.
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It started as a junior college in 1927
The University of Houston has a student population of nearly 30,000. The university's history dates back to 1927 when it started as Houston Junior College (HJC). On March 7, 1927, the college was founded when the trustees of the Board of Education of the Houston Independent School District (HISD) unanimously signed a charter. The junior college was operated and administered by HISD and was located on the San Jacinto High School campus. The college's initial focus was on training future teachers, and its first class commenced on June 5, 1927, with 232 students and 12 faculty members. The faculty was recruited from institutions such as Rice University, the University of Texas, and Sam Houston State Teacher's College.
Houston Junior College initially offered only night courses, providing an opportunity for those seeking to become teachers to pursue their studies. The college's growth and prosperity over the years led to its transformation into the University of Houston in 1934. This marked a significant milestone in the institution's history. In 1939, the university opened its first building on a permanent campus, solidifying its presence as a higher education institution.
The University of Houston has a rich history of academic excellence and a strong focus on research. With over 35 research centers and institutes on campus, the university invests approximately $240 million annually in research activities. The university's campus spans 894 acres and includes instructional sites in Sugar Land and Katy. The university is classified as an "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" institution, reflecting its commitment to scholarly pursuits.
The University of Houston has a vibrant athletic culture with varsity athletic teams known as the Houston Cougars. The Cougars carry the university's spirit and compete in the NCAA Division I across 17 intercollegiate sports. The university's official mascot, adopted in 1947, is a cougar named Shasta. The choice of the cougar as the official mascot led to several traditions, such as the "Cougar sign," which dates back to 1953. Cougar fans show their support by making this unique gesture, which has become a symbol of pride and unity.
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It has 12 colleges, including engineering, law, and optometry
The University of Houston is a large, 4-year, public university located in an urban setting in Houston, Texas. It is the city's leading public research university and the third-largest university in the state. UH is also the flagship of the UH System, which comprises four separate universities: UH, UHCL, UHD, and UHV.
UH has a rich history, dating back to its founding in 1927 as Houston Junior College (HJC). It has since expanded its academic offerings and now includes 12 colleges, covering a wide range of disciplines. Among these colleges are the College of Engineering, the College of Law, and the College of Optometry.
The College of Engineering is housed within the 200,000 sq ft (19,000 m2) Science and Engineering Complex (SEC), designed by the renowned architectural firm Pelli, Clarke & Partners. The SEC is a hub for interdisciplinary research, with facilities for research programs in fields such as bionanotechnology, superconductivity, and biomedical sciences. The college offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, providing students with a strong foundation in engineering principles and hands-on experience through its state-of-the-art facilities.
The College of Law, while not a separate entity from the university, has a strong presence on campus. The Residential District, located along Wheeler Avenue and east of Martin Luther King Boulevard, includes the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership and the College of Optometry, offering specialized programs in their respective fields. The College of Law, though not mentioned in the Residential District's description, likely has its own dedicated facilities and plays a crucial role in the university's academic offerings.
The College of Optometry is one of the key institutions within the University of Houston's academic landscape. As part of the Residential District, it provides students with a focused educational experience in the field of optometry. The college benefits from its proximity to other colleges and facilities, fostering a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to learning and research. While specific details about the College of Optometry's history and programs are scarce, its inclusion among the 12 colleges underscores its significance within the university's academic structure.
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The university has 37,946 undergraduates, with 48.1% male
The University of Houston is a diverse university with a total undergraduate enrollment of 37,946 students, 48.1% of whom are male. The university's ability to attract and graduate students from at-risk backgrounds, including low-income and first-generation students, is notable. This is reflected in the fact that 40% of its students receive Pell grants, and 45% are the first in their families to pursue a college education.
The University of Houston is committed to student success, regardless of financial or family background. With a total enrollment of approximately 47,000 students, the university is one of the largest in the nation. It is classified as an "R1: Doctoral University" with very high research activity, spending around $240 million annually in this area.
The University of Houston offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. The main campus consists of 12 colleges, including notable schools such as the Cullen College of Engineering and the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership. The university operates over 35 research centres and institutes, fostering a vibrant academic community.
The University of Houston's student body is diverse, with students hailing from all over the nation and representing a variety of backgrounds and experiences. The university's commitment to accessibility and student success has resulted in a significant proportion of first-generation college students and those from low-income backgrounds. This diversity enriches the campus community and contributes to a dynamic and inclusive learning environment.
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It's one of the most diverse universities in the US
The University of Houston is one of the most diverse universities in the US. With a total enrollment of approximately 47,090 students, the university is predominantly made up of female students, with a gender ratio of 10% women to 9% men. The undergraduate student population is split between 52% women and 48% men, while 54% of full-time graduate students are women, and 46% are men. The University of Houston has a very high racial diversity, with 74% of students being minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with a sizeable White population, and the university has been designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). It is also an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), recognised for serving Asian Americans and Native American Pacific Islanders.
In terms of age diversity, the University of Houston has a score of 79.02 out of 100, indicating that it attracts students of all ages. Only 46.89% of students are between the ages of 18 and 21, which is the traditional college age range, compared to a national average of 60%.
The University of Houston also has a diverse range of student organizations and athletic teams. There are over 500 student organizations on campus, and 17 intercollegiate sports teams, known as the Houston Cougars, which compete in the NCAA Division I in all sports. The university's campus spans 894 acres (or 895 acres according to another source) and has two additional instructional sites in Sugar Land and Katy.
In terms of geographic diversity, the University of Houston ranks 1,153 out of 2,183. Only 2.62% of students come from out of state, and 3.56% are international students, representing 137 countries. The majority of international students come from India, China, and Vietnam.
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Frequently asked questions
The University of Houston has a total undergraduate enrollment of 37,946 (as of fall 2023). The total enrollment for the university system is approximately 47,000.
48.1% of the students are male, while 51.9% are female.
The University of Houston's main campus is in southeast Houston, with instructional sites in Sugar Land and Katy. The university also has a downtown campus and branches at Clear Lake and Victoria.
The University of Houston began as Houston Junior College in 1927 and was elevated to university status in 1934. The downtown campus was established in 1974, and the Clear Lake and Victoria branches were designated as permanent degree-granting branches of the university system in 1971.











































