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Colleges / University of Houston

University of Houston

Houston, TX 4-Year Public
Acceptance Rate66%

University of Houston Tuition Information

In 2022, University of Houston's tuition was $10,856 a year for in-state students and $26,456 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If these numbers seem daunting, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students find the actual cost of college is far less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. And, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay for college feel more doable until you've finishing school and found a job.

Tuition for international students at University of Houston is $26,456 per year.

University of Houston meets 65.6% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend University of Houston full-time are awarded $14,967 a year in financial aid, on average.

Graduates in the class of 2023 had an average of $21,553 in student loans per borrower.

University of Houston: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

University of Houston is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $10,856 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time. For students who are not considered Texas-residents, out-of-state tuition is $26,456 a year.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. These institutions offer reduced tuition for those who qualify as Texas residents.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to confirm your state's eligibility criteria for in-state tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be other criteria as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other Texas colleges

Is University of Houston's Tuition Different for International Students?

University of Houston has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at University of Houston can expect to pay around $26,456 per year, before any scholarships, grants or other financial aid.

International students usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for private or University of Houston-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students with need may qualify for the following types of financial support at University of Houston:

•University of Houston-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.


University of Houston Living Expenses, Fees, and More


In addition to the cost of tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at University of Houston.

House and Food Costs at University of Houston

Room and board at University of Houston costs $10,830 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the University of Houston's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls.

Meal-plan costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at University of Houston

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

Most schools also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools have ways for students with financial need to find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at University of Houston

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

Where are a college is located can impact transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area is sometimes expensive, but there may be more trains, busses or affordable flights to actually get to school. University of Houstonis in a city in Texas, not far from Houston.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to factor in the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.


Financial Breakdown for University of Houston


Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better idea of what is really costs to go to University of Houston.

How Much Does University of Houston Cost?

What will the cost of attending University of Houston be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition $10,856
Out-of-State Tuition $26,456
Room and Board $10,830
Other expenses $2,843

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

University of Houston’s tuition and fees change based on: •Academic program for both full and part-time students •Course load for both full and part-time students


Financial Aid at University of Houston


In 2023, 17,011 of the 37,950 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. University of Houston meets 65.6% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $14,967 a year. Around 42.8% of University of Houston undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. University of Houston graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $21,553 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $17,281
State Loans $27,176
Private Loans $25,078
Most Common Loans for University of Houston Students
Federal Loans 41.8%
State loans 1.7%
Private loans 6.1%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on University of Houston financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at University of Houston

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, University of Houston awarded 15,005 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $165.6 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $14.49 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of University of Houston

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for University of Houston students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at University of Houston was $14,967 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of University of Houston seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus $-2,945
Net In-state, Off-campus $-1,651
Out-of-State, On-Campus $27,622

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending University of Houston really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the University of Houston's net cost calculator on their website.

University of Houston Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

University of Houston offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

University of Houston Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

University of Houston's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

University of Houston's endowment was valued at $1.021 billion in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. For each full-time student, University of Houston spends about $7,381 a year.


Learn More About University of Houston


To learn more about University of Houston, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about University of Houston

University of Houston Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$24,146

In State

$39,746

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$10,856
$26,456
Fees
$1,026
$1,026
Housing
$10,830
$10,830
Books
$1,434
$1,434

University of Houston Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

55%

Average Financial Aid Package

$15,243

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

46,700

Campus Setting

Urban

Acceptance Rate

66%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$11,882

Out-of-State

$27,482

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

May 1
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