University of Houston acceptance rate and admissions profile
University of Houston is a public university in Texas that admits most qualified applicants (around 74%), which puts it in the moderately selective range. A rate like this means it admits more applicants than it rejects; the bar is less about clearing a single cutoff and more about how your full profile compares to admitted students.
Use this page to see what University of Houston weighs, where it ranks among Texas schools, and how a profile like yours is likely to land. Admitted students post a 75th-percentile SAT around 1310, a useful checkpoint for where your scores sit, though it is a reference range and not a cutoff.
Will I get into University of Houston?
Direct answers to what applicants ask about getting into University of Houston, plus a free way to calculate your own odds.
What are my chances of getting into University of Houston?
At University of Houston, your real chance depends on far more than the published 74% admit rate. Your real odds depend on how your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities compare to its admitted students. Run your profile through the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance percentage for University of Houston in about three minutes, with no account needed to start.
Is University of Houston hard to get into?
University of Houston is moderately selective: it admits more applicants than it rejects, with about a 74% acceptance rate. Meeting the academic basics gives most qualified applicants a realistic shot.
What GPA do you need to get into University of Houston?
There is no hard GPA cutoff at University of Houston, but admitted students often present roughly a 3.2 to 3.7 GPA. University of Houston reads your GPA alongside the rigor of your courses, so a challenging schedule matters as much as the number itself.
What SAT score do you need for University of Houston?
University of Houston does not publish a required score, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1310. A score at or above that range strengthens your application, while a lower score puts more weight on your rigor, activities, and essays. CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds at University of Houston.
What University of Houston looks for
What University of Houston weighs most heavily in its admissions review, informed by its reported Common Data Set.
University of Houston signals that it values rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores above the rest of the file. Solid grades in a challenging schedule do most of the work here, with the rest of the application providing context. These ratings come from University of Houston's reported Common Data Set, so the full chart below reflects what the school itself says it values, not a generic guess.
SAT score positioning at University of Houston
How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.
How University of Houston compares in Texas
University of Houston ranks #25 most selective of 53 schools in Texas in our database.
Among the 53 Texas schools we track, University of Houston ranks #25 most selective by acceptance rate. Schools like Rice University (8%) and Trinity University (TX) (26%) sit nearby, which makes Texas a useful frame for calibrating a balanced list. As a public university, residency matters: in-state applicants generally see meaningfully better odds than the headline rate suggests.
Similar to University of Houston
Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.
If University of Houston is on your list, schools with a similar admit profile are worth a look: Southeast Missouri State University, University at Buffalo, and University of Arkansas. Running the same profile against each one in the free calculator is the fastest way to see where you are a reach, a match, or a likely.
Frequently asked questions
What does University of Houston value most in applicants?
Based on its admissions profile, University of Houston weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.
Does University of Houston favor in-state applicants?
As a public university, University of Houston generally admits in-state applicants at a higher rate than out-of-state applicants, so your home state affects your odds. CollegeCalcAI applies an in-state residency boost when you select your state.
How can I improve my chances at University of Houston?
Focus on the highest-leverage parts of your application: course rigor and GPA trajectory first, then test scores, then a focused leadership or activity spike. CollegeCalcAI's Power-Ups quantify how much each change would move your odds at University of Houston specifically.
Is University of Houston test-optional?
Test-optional policies change year to year, so confirm University of Houston's current policy on its official admissions site. If you do submit scores, the admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1310; if you do not, more weight falls on your GPA, course rigor, and essays.
How does residency affect admission to University of Houston?
As a public university, University of Houston typically admits in-state students at a higher rate, and tuition differs sharply by residency. Select your home state in the calculator to fold the in-state effect into your estimate.
Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.