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{{Short description|State university in Houston, Texas, US}}
{{About|the research university}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = University of Houston
 | image_name             = University of Houston seal.svg
 | image_upright          = 0.6
 | caption                = Seal of University of Houston
 | other_names            = UH, U of H, or Houston
 | former_names           = Houston Junior College<br />(1927–1934)<br />University of Houston–University Park<br />(1983–1991)
 | established            = {{start date and age|1927|03|07|br=y}}
 | founder                = [[Edison E. Oberholtzer]]
 | motto                  = ''{{lang|la|In Tempore}}'' ([[Latin]])
 | mottoeng               = "In Time"
 | type                   = [[Public university|Public]] [[research university]]
 | parent                 = [[University of Houston System]]
 | academic_affiliations  = {{hlist
|[[Great Cities' Universities|GCU]]|[[Oak Ridge Associated Universities|ORAU]]|[[Universities Research Association|URA]]|[[Coalition of Urban Serving Universities|USU]]
}}
 | accreditation          = [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools|SACS]]
 | endowment              = $862.01 million ([[Fiscal year|FY]]2024)<br />(UH only)<ref name=UHEndowment>As of August 31, 2024. {{Cite web |url=https://meetings.boardbook.org/Documents/WebViewer/685?file=ed4eb2ac-bc00-4e4e-87ca-8014840695ab |title=Independent Auditor’s Report and Financial Statements: August 31, 2024 and 2023 |date=January 31, 2025 |publisher=University of Houston System |access-date=February 18, 2025 }}</ref><br />$1.11 billion (FY2024)<br />(system-wide)<ref name=UHEndowment />
 | budget                 = $1.81 billion (FY2026)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uh.edu/office-of-finance/budget-office/plan-budget/executive-summary-fy2026_locked_v5.pdf |title=Fiscal Year 2026 Plan and Budget |date=August 21, 2025 |publisher=University of Houston System |access-date=November 17, 2025 }}</ref>
 | faculty                = 3,517 (fall 2025)<ref name=UHFacts>{{cite web |url=https://uh.edu/ir/reports/facts-at-a-glance/facts-at-a-glance.pdf |title=University of Houston: Fall 2025 Facts |date=October 24, 2025 |publisher=University of Houston |access-date=November 17, 2025 }}</ref>
 | president              = [[Renu Khator]]
 | provost                = Diane Z. Chase<ref name="UH Provost">{{cite web |author1=University of Houston |title=SVP for Academic Affairs and Provost Diane Z. Chase|url=https://www.uh.edu/provost/about/provost/ |website=University of Houston: Office of the Provost |publisher=University of Houston |access-date=24 July 2023 |language=en }}</ref>
 | students               = 48,950 (fall 2025)<ref name=UHFacts />
 | undergrad              = 39,837 (fall 2025)<ref name=UHFacts />
 | postgrad               = 9,113 (fall 2025)<ref name=UHFacts />
 | city                   = [[Houston]]
 | state                  = Texas
 | country                = United States
 | coordinates            = {{coord|29.7189|N|95.3392|W|type:edu_region:US-TX|display=inline,title}}
 | campus                 = Large city<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=university+of+houston&s=all&id=225511|title=IPEDS-University of Houston|access-date=November 5, 2021|archive-date=November 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105113733/https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=university+of+houston&s=all&id=225511|url-status=live}}</ref>
 | campus_size            = {{convert|894|acre|hectare}}
 | free_label             = Other campuses
 | free                   = {{hlist|[[Sugar Land, Texas|Sugar Land]]|[[Katy, Texas|Katy]]}}
 | free_label2            = Newspaper
 | free2                  = ''[[The Cougar (newspaper)|The Cougar]]''
 | colors                 = {{color box|#C8102E}} [[Scarlet (color)|Scarlet Red]] <br> {{color box|#FFFFFF}}  [[White|Albino White]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uh.edu/brand/brand-identity/style-guide/index#colors |title=University of Houston Brand Style Guide |access-date=August 27, 2022 |archive-date=August 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827222853/https://uh.edu/brand/brand-identity/style-guide/index#colors |url-status=live }}</ref>
 | sporting_affiliations  = [[NCAA Division I FBS]] – <br /> [[Big 12 Conference|Big 12]]
 | athletics_nickname     = {{hlist|[[Houston Cougars|Cougars]]|Coogs}}
 | mascot                 = [[Shasta (mascot)|Shasta and Sasha]]
 | website                = {{URL|https://uh.edu/}}
 | logo                   = University of Houston full logo.svg
 | logo_upright           = .9
}}

The '''University of Houston''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=En-us-Houston.ogg|ˈ|h|juː|s|t|ən}}; {{respell|HEW|stən}}) is a [[Public university|public]] [[research university]] in [[Houston]], Texas, United States. It was established in 1927 as '''Houston Junior College''', a [[coeducational]] institution and one of multiple [[junior colleges]] formed in the first decades of the 20th century.<ref name="Community Colleges in America: A Historical Perspective">{{cite web |author1=Richard L. Drury |title=Community Colleges in America: A Historical Perspective |publisher=Inquiry, Volume 8, Number 1, Spring 2003|url=https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ876835.pdf}}</ref><ref name="Community Colleges-The History of Community Colleges, The junior college and the research university., The Community College Mission">{{Cite web|url=https://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/1873/Community-Colleges.html|title=Community Colleges – The History of Community Colleges, The junior college and the research university., The Community College Mission|website=education.stateuniversity.com}}</ref> In 1934, HJC was restructured as a four-year degree-granting institution and renamed University of Houston. In 1977, it became the founding member of the [[University of Houston System]]. Today, Houston is the [[List of universities in Texas by enrollment|{{nowrap|fourth-largest}} university in Texas]], awarding 11,773 degrees for the 2024-2025 academic year.<ref name=UHFacts /> As of 2024, it has a worldwide alumni base of 331,672.<ref name="Alumni Information">{{cite web |author1=University of Houston |title=2024 Annual Report |url=https://uhadvancement.com/app/annual-report/2024/ |website=University of Houston Advancement |publisher=University of Houston |access-date=31 July 2024 |url-status=live |archive-date=July 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731183030/https://uhadvancement.com/app/annual-report/2024/}}</ref>

The university consists of fifteen colleges and an interdisciplinary honors college offering 310 degree programs and enrolls approximately 40,000 undergraduate and 9,000 graduate students.<ref>{{cite web|title=Undergraduate Admissions – Majors |publisher=University of Houston |access-date=May 16, 2023 |url=https://uh.edu/undergraduate-admissions/discover/majors/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Graduate School – Programs and Colleges |publisher=University of Houston |access-date=May 16, 2023 |url=https://www.uh.edu/graduate-school/admissions/programs-and-colleges/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author1=University of Houston |title=University of Houston: Fall 2022 Facts |url=https://www.uh.edu/ir/reports/facts-at-a-glance/facts-at-a-glance.pdf |website=University of Houston |access-date=16 May 2023 }}</ref> The university's campus, which is primarily in southeast Houston, spans {{convert|894|acre|km2}}, with the inclusion of its two instructional sites located in [[Sugar Land]] and [[Katy, Texas|Katy]].<ref name="Fall 2021 Facts">{{cite web |author1=University of Houston |title=University of Houston: Fall 2021 Facts |url=https://uh.edu/about/uh-glance/final-uh_facts.pdf |website=University of Houston |access-date=27 September 2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=October 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008191810/https://uh.edu/about/uh-glance/final-uh_facts.pdf }}</ref> The university is also the founding campus of the [[University of Houston System]].<ref>{{cite web|title=University of Houston Administrator's Statement |publisher=University of Houston System |access-date=May 30, 2011 |url=http://www.uhsa.uh.edu/gov/state/82/uh_special_items.html
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202141956/http://www.uhsa.uh.edu/gov/state/82/uh_special_items.html|archive-date=February 2, 2011}}</ref>

The university is [[Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education|classified]] among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity"<ref name="Tier One Research">{{cite web|url=http://www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2011articles/Jan2011/011811CarnegieTierOne.php|title=Carnegie Foundation Gives University of Houston its Highest Classification for Research Success, Elevating U of H to Tier One Status|author=Bonnin, Richard|publisher=University of Houston|access-date=February 8, 2011|archive-date=September 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920083350/http://www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2011articles/Jan2011/011811CarnegieTierOne.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Tier One Research 2">{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/print-edition/2011/01/21/uh-achieves-tier-one-status-in-research.html|title=UH achieves Tier One status in research|work=Houston Business Journal|access-date=July 6, 2011|date=January 21, 2011|archive-date=November 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102234709/http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/print-edition/2011/01/21/uh-achieves-tier-one-status-in-research.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Tier One Research 3">{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7386162.html|title=UH takes big step up to Tier One status|work=Houston Chronicle|date=January 18, 2011|access-date=July 6, 2011|archive-date=October 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021171030/http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/UH-takes-big-step-up-to-Tier-One-status-1685940.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2016/02/02/unt-ut-arlington-and-texas-tech-reach-carnegie-tie/|title=Four Texas Colleges Reach Carnegie "Tier One" Status|first=Matthew|last=Watkins|date=February 2, 2016|website=The Texas Tribune}}</ref> and spends approximately $240&nbsp;million annually in research. The university operates more than 35 research centers and institutes on campus<ref name="University of Houston: Research">{{cite web |author1=University of Houston |title=University of Houston: Research |url=https://uh.edu/uh-research/ |website=University of Houston |access-date=3 February 2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=February 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203205316/https://uh.edu/uh-research/ }}</ref><ref name="University of Houston: About"/> in areas such as [[superconductivity]], space commercialization and exploration, [[biomedical]] sciences and engineering, energy and natural resources, and [[artificial intelligence]].

The university has more than 500 student organizations and 17 intercollegiate sports teams.<ref name="UH at a Glance">{{cite web | url=http://www.uh.edu/about/uh-glance/index.php | title=UH at a Glance | publisher=University of Houston | access-date=June 1, 2011 | archive-date=August 14, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120814080805/http://www.uh.edu/about/uh-glance/index.php | url-status=live }}</ref> Its varsity athletic teams, known as the [[Houston Cougars]], are members of the [[Big 12 Conference]] and compete in the [[NCAA Division I]] in all sports. In 2021, the university received and accepted an invitation to join the Big 12 Conference.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mueller |first1=James |title=Long-awaited dream: UH accepts invite to join Big 12 |url=https://thedailycougar.com/2021/09/10/uh-accepts-big-12-invite/ |website=The Cougar |access-date=27 September 2022 |date=10 September 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927194033/https://thedailycougar.com/2021/09/10/uh-accepts-big-12-invite/ }}</ref> The football team regularly makes [[bowl game]] appearances and the men's basketball team has made 26 appearances in the [[NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament]], including eight [[Elite Eight]] and [[Final Four]] appearances. The men's golf team has won [[NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championship|16 national championships]], the most in NCAA history.<ref name="Fall 2021 Facts" /> In 2022, UH's men's track and field team earned its [[NCAA Division I Men's Indoor Track and Field Championships|seventh Indoor Conference Championship title]] and its swimming and diving team defended its [[American Athletic Conference]] title for the sixth straight season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Garrett |first1=Tyler |title=UH swimming and diving wins sixth straight AAC title |url=https://thedailycougar.com/2022/02/20/uh-swimming-and-diving-wins-sixth-straight-aac-title/ |website=The Cougar |access-date=27 September 2022 |date=20 February 2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927194033/https://thedailycougar.com/2022/02/20/uh-swimming-and-diving-wins-sixth-straight-aac-title/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Thomas |first1=Sean |title=UH track and field earns seven All-American honors at NCAA Championship |url=https://thedailycougar.com/2022/06/12/uh-track-and-field-earn-all-american-honors-at-ncaa-championship/ |website=The Cougar |access-date=27 September 2022 |date=12 June 2022 |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927194033/https://thedailycougar.com/2022/06/12/uh-track-and-field-earn-all-american-honors-at-ncaa-championship/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==History==
===Founding===
The University of Houston began as Houston Junior College (HJC). On March 7, 1927, trustees of the Board of Education of the Houston Independent School District (HISD) unanimously signed a charter founding the junior college. The junior college was operated and administered by HISD.<ref name="Handbook of Texas">{{cite web |url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/kcu03 |title=University of Houston–University Park |publisher=Texas State Historical Association |work=Hand book of Texas |access-date=October 16, 2007 |archive-date=November 30, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130040641/http://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/kcu03 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Homecoming 2007 Timeline">{{cite web |url=http://www.advancement.uh.edu/homecoming/2007/timeline.htm |title=UH Timeline |publisher=University of Houston |access-date=October 16, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218232533/http://www.advancement.uh.edu/homecoming/2007/timeline.htm |archive-date=December 18, 2007}}</ref>

HJC was originally located on the [[San Jacinto High School (Houston)|San Jacinto High School]] campus and offered only night courses to train future teachers.<ref name="UH Through Time: Events">{{cite web |url=http://info.lib.uh.edu/sca/digital/time/events.html |title=UH Through Time: Events |publisher=University of Houston Libraries |access-date=October 16, 2007 |archive-date=September 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914180734/http://info.lib.uh.edu/uh-through-time |url-status=live }}</ref>

Its first class began June 5, 1927, with an enrollment of 232 students and 12 faculty recruited from [[Rice University]], the [[University of Texas at Austin|University of Texas]] and [[Sam Houston State University|Sam Houston State Teacher's College]].<ref name="Book"/> The first session accepted no freshman students, and its purpose was to mainly educate future teachers about the college.<ref name="Book"/> In the fall semester, HJC opened enrolled to high school students. By then, the college had 230 students and eight faculty members holding evening classes at San Jacinto High School and day classes in area churches.<ref name="Book"/>

HJC's first president was [[Edison E. Oberholtzer|Edison Ellsworth Oberholtzer]], who was the dominant force in establishing the junior college.<ref name="Handbook of Texas" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fob02 |work=Handbook of Texas |title=Oberholtzer, Edison, Ellsworth |publisher=Texas State Historical Association |access-date=April 6, 2008 |archive-date=July 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715132307/http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fob02 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:University of Houston in 1934.jpg|thumb|UH held its first classes at San Jacinto High School in 1927]]

===University beginnings===
The junior college became eligible to become a university in October 1933 when the governor of Texas, [[Miriam A. Ferguson]], signed House Bill 194 into law. On September 11, 1933, Houston's Board of Education adopted a resolution to make HJC a four-year institution and changing its name to the University of Houston.<ref name="Roarin 07">{{cite web |url=http://www.mycougarconnection.com/homecoming/history.htm |title=Discover UH's Heritage & History |publisher=UH Alumni Organization |access-date=October 16, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071107164047/http://www.mycougarconnection.com/homecoming/history.htm |archive-date = November 7, 2007}}</ref> Unanimously approved by the board, the formal charter of UH was passed April 30, 1934.<ref name="Book"/>

UH's first session as a four-year institution began June 4, 1934, at San Jacinto High School with an enrollment of 682. By the fall semester it had 909 students enrolled in classes taught by 39 faculty members in three colleges and schools – College of Arts and Sciences, College of Community Service and General College.<ref name="Book"/> In 1934, the first campus of the University of Houston was established at the Second Baptist Church at Milam and McGowen. The next fall, the campus was moved to the South Main Baptist Church on Main Street—between Richmond Avenue and Eagle Street—where it stayed for the next five years.<ref name="Roarin 07" /> In May 1935, the institution as a university held its first commencement at [[Miller Outdoor Theatre]].<ref name="Johnston 309">{{cite book |title=Houston: The Unknown City: 1836–1946 |last=Johnston |first=Marguerite |year=1991 |publisher=Texas A&M University Press |location=College Station, Texas |isbn=0-89096-476-9 |page=309 }}</ref>
[[File:Roy Gustav Cullen Building.JPG|left|thumb|Built in 1939, the [[Roy G. Cullen Building]] was the first building on campus]]
In the mission of finding UH a permanent home, heirs of philanthropists J. J. Settegast and [[Ben Taub]] donated {{convert|110|acre|km2}} to the university for use as a permanent location in 1936.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/first100/869592.html |title=Group of average students sparks UH creation |date=April 8, 2001 |access-date=April 6, 2008 |work=Houston Chronicle |archive-date=October 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024194839/http://www.chron.com/life/article/Group-of-average-students-sparks-UH-creation-2017940.php |url-status=live }}</ref> At this time, there was no road that led to the land tract, but in 1937, the city added Saint Bernard Street, which was later renamed to Cullen Boulevard.<ref name="Johnston 309" /> It would become a major thoroughfare of the campus. As a project of the [[National Youth Administration]], workers were paid fifty cents an hour to clear the land. In 1938, [[Hugh Roy Cullen]] donated $335,000 (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|335000|1938|r=-5}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) for the first building to be built at the location. The [[Roy G. Cullen Memorial Building|Roy Gustav Cullen Memorial Building]] was dedicated on June 4, 1939, and opened for classes officially on Wednesday, September 20, 1939.<ref name="Roarin 07" /> The building was the first air-conditioned college building constructed on a U.S. campus.<ref name="Book">{{cite book |last1=Adair |first1=Wendy |last2=Gutierrez |first2=Oscar |title=The University of Houston: Our Time: Celebrating 75 Years of Learning and Leading |date=2001 |publisher=Donning Co. Publishers |location=Virginia Beach, VA |isbn=1578641438}}</ref>
A year after opening the new campus, the university had over 2,000 students.<ref name="Book"/> As World War II approached, enrollment decreased due to the draft and enlistments. The university was one of six colleges selected to train radio technicians in the [[V-12 Navy College Training Program]].<ref>Test and Research Staff, Bureau of Naval Personnel; "Psychological test construction and research in the Bureau of Naval Personnel. Part V. Navy radio technician training program"; ''American Psychologist'', vol 1(3), Mar. 1946, pp 80–90</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Commandant, Eighth Naval District |title=United States Naval Administration in World War II: History of the Eighth Naval District |date=1946 |publisher=United States Navy |location=New Orleans, Louisiana |page=271 |url=http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/Admin-Hist/115-8thND/115-8ND-23.html |access-date=10 May 2019 |archive-date=January 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112105122/http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/Admin-Hist/115-8thND/115-8ND-23.html |url-status=live }}</ref> By the fall of 1943, there were only about 1,100 regular students at UH; thus, the 300 or so servicemen contributed in sustaining the faculty and facilities of the Engineering College. This training at UH continued until March 1945, with a total of 4,178 students.<ref>Watson, Raymond C., Jr.; ''Solving the Naval Radar Crisis'', Trafford Publishing, 2007, pp. 207–208, {{ISBN|978-1-4251-6173-6}}</ref>

On March 12, 1945, Senate Bill 207 was signed into law, removing the control of the University of Houston from HISD and placing it into the hands of a board of regents.<ref name="Roarin 07" /> In 1945, the university—which had grown too large and complex for the Houston school board to administer—became a private university.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Scott |first=Bethany |title= "University of Houston Integration Records: A Difficult Path to Desegregation" | url=https://houstonhistorymagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Integration_Papers.pdf |magazine=Houston History Magazine |publisher=University of Houston Center for Public History |access-date=31 July 2024}}</ref>
[[File:Aerial view of the University of Houston (1950).JPG|right|thumb|University of Houston, circa 1950]]
In March 1947, the regents authorized creation of a law school at the university. In 1949, the M.D. Anderson Foundation made a $1.5&nbsp;million gift to UH for the construction of a dedicated library building on the campus. By 1950, the educational plant at UH consisted of 12 permanent buildings. Enrollment was more than 14,000 with a full-time faculty of more than 300.<ref name="Handbook of Texas" /> [[KUHF]], the university radio station, signed on in November. By 1951, UH had achieved the feat of being the second-largest university in the state of Texas.{{Citation needed|date=August 2017}}

===State university===
[[File:A.D Bruce Religion Center.JPG|thumb|left|A.D. Bruce Religion Center, named after the university's third president]]
In 1953, the university established [[KUHT]]—the first educational television station in the nation—after the four yearlong Federal Communications Commission's television licensing freeze ended.<ref name="Handbook of Texas" /> During this period, however, the university as a private institution was facing financial troubles. Tuition failed to cover rising costs, and in turn, tuition increases caused a drop in enrollment.{{Citation needed|date=August 2017}} That's when it was proposed that UH become a state-funded university.<ref name="Book"/>

After a lengthy battle between supporters of the University of Houston, led by school president [[A.D. Bruce]],<ref name="txarchives">{{cite web |url=http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/uhua/00001/hua-00001.html |title=A.D. Bruce Speeches Collection, 1954–1961 |publisher=University of Texas Libraries |work=Texas Archival Resources Online (TARO) |access-date=June 25, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070421112253/http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/uhua/00001/hua-00001.html|archive-date=April 21, 2007}}</ref> and forces from state universities, including the University of Texas, geared to block the change, Senate Bill 2 was passed on May 23, 1961, enabling the university to enter the state system in 1963.<ref name="Handbook of Texas" /> Beginning roughly during this period, UH became known as "Cougar High" because of its low academic standards, which the university leveraged to its advantage in recruiting athletes.<ref>Pennington, Richard, and Denton A. Cooley. ''Longhorn Hoops: The History of Texas Basketball''. University of Texas Press, 1998.</ref>

The University of Houston, initially reserved for white and non-black students, was racially desegregated circa the 1960s as part of the [[civil rights movements]]. A group of students called Afro-Americans for Black Liberation (AABL) advocated for desegregation in that period. Robinson Block, a UH undergraduate student writing for ''Houston History Magazine'', stated that as local businesses and student organization remained segregated by race, the first group of black students "had a hard time".<ref>Block, p. 24.</ref>

The federal government donated a parcel of coastal prairie to the university in [[La Marque]] in [[Galveston County]]. Out of this developed the University of Houston Coastal Center (UHCC).<ref>{{cite web |title=Texas Institute for Coastal Prairie Research & Education |url=https://uhcc.uh.edu/about/texas-institute |publisher=UH Coastal Center |access-date=September 28, 2025}}</ref>

As the University of Houston celebrated its 50th anniversary, the Texas Legislature formally established the [[University of Houston System]] in 1977. [[Philip G. Hoffman]] resigned from his position as president of UH and became the first chancellor of the University of Houston System. The University of Houston became the oldest and largest member institution in the UH System with nearly 30,000 students.

On April 26, 1983, the university appended its official name to University of Houston–University Park; however, the name was changed back to University of Houston on August 26, 1991.<ref name="Book"/><ref name="University of Houston">{{cite web|url=http://www.legis.state.tx.us/billlookup/History.aspx?LegSess=72R&Bill=SB755|title=72(R) History for Senate Bill 755|publisher=Texas Legislature|work=Texas Legislature Online History|access-date=March 28, 2010|archive-date=May 26, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240526041315/https://www.webcitation.org/69wWmf0oT?url=http://www.legis.state.tx.us/billlookup/History.aspx%3FLegSess=72R|url-status=live}}</ref> This name change was an effort by the UH System to give its flagship institution a distinctive name that would eliminate confusion with the University of Houston–Downtown (UHD), which is a separate and distinct degree-granting institution that is not part of the University of Houston.<ref name="Book"/>

===Restructuring and growth===
[[File:Rebecca and John J. Moores School of Music.JPG|thumb|Moores School of Music Building, constructed in 1997]]
In 1997, the administrations of the UH System and the University of Houston were combined under a single chief executive officer, with the dual title of chancellor of the UH System and president of the University of Houston. [[Arthur K. Smith]] became the first person to hold the combined position. Since 1997, the University of Houston System Administration has been located on campus in the [[Ezekiel W. Cullen Building]].

On October 15, 2007, [[Renu Khator]] was selected for the position of UH System chancellor and UH president.<ref name="Noted Political Science Scholar">{{cite web |title=Scholar and Administrator Selected as Sole Nominee |work=UH News Release |url=http://www.uh.edu/news-events/archive/nr/2007/10oct/101507khator.html |access-date=May 11, 2007 |archive-date=May 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511032352/http://uh.edu/news-events/archive/nr/2007/10oct/101507khator.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On November 5, 2007, Khator was confirmed as the third person to hold the dual title of UH System chancellor and UH president concurrently, and took office in January 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uh.edu/news-events/newsrelease.php?releaseid_int=76 |title=Renu Khator Confirmed as New University of Houston & UH System Leader |author=Gerber, Eric |publisher=University of Houston |access-date=November 27, 2007 |archive-date=December 18, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218155652/http://www.uh.edu/news-events/newsrelease.php?releaseid_int=76 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In January 2011, the University of Houston was classified by the [[Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching]] as a research university with very high research activity.<ref name="Tier One Research"/><ref name="Tier One Research 2"/><ref name="Tier One Research 3"/>

Between 2010-2022, undergraduate tuition increased by 47%, significantly outpacing inflation.<ref name="ChronicleTuition">{{cite news |title=UH tuition rises 4% as Texas lawmakers freeze state funding |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |date=May 15, 2023}}</ref> In 2022, many students reported being incorrectly classified as out-of-state residents, resulting in tuition bills up to $11,000 higher than expected.<ref name="TribuneResidency">{{cite news |title=Texas students struggle with residency proof |newspaper=Texas Tribune |date=August 3, 2021}}</ref> That same year, students reported that financial aid delays left them at risk of having classes dropped, with the university acknowledging processing backlogs.<ref name="CougarAid">{{cite news |title=Financial aid delays leave students scrambling |newspaper=Daily Cougar |date=September 8, 2022}}</ref>

=== Campus safety in 2025 ===
In early 2025, the university faced widespread criticism for its handling of a series of violent incidents on campus, most notably a sexual assault at knifepoint in the Welcome Center parking garage. The suspect was initially released the same day due to insufficient charges, prompting the Harris County District Attorney's Office to launch a review.<ref>{{cite news |last=Downen |first=Robert |title=Harris County DA reviewing release of University of Houston sexual assault suspect |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/uh-sex-assault-investigation-da-review-20167450.php |work=Houston Chronicle |date=February 24, 2025}}</ref> The incident was followed within days by two armed robberies, intensifying student outrage.<ref>{{cite news |title=UH students demand increased security after string of campus violence |url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/university-of-houston-attack-20162780.php |work=Houston Chronicle |date=February 13, 2025}}</ref> Student leader Aihanuwa Ale-Opinion stated: "Students have a host of concerns regarding their safety, which the UH administration has failed to address for years."<ref>{{cite news |last=Downen |first=Robert |title=University of Houston students voice fears after campus crimes |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/university-houston-students-voice-fears-crimes-20176403.php |work=Houston Chronicle |date=February 25, 2025}}</ref>

The university fast-tracked an $18 million security upgrade, including increased lighting and patrols.<ref>{{cite news |title=University of Houston fast-tracks $18 million security project following crime spike |url=https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/education-news/2025/02/25/514711/university-of-houston-fast-tracks-18-million-security-project-following-crime-spike/ |work=Houston Public Media |date=February 25, 2025}}</ref> Critics argued these measures came only after years of negligence.<ref>{{cite news |title=UH students demand action after series of incidents spark safety concerns |url=https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/02/13/university-of-houston-students-demand-action-after-series-of-incidents-spark-safety-concerns-on-campus/ |work=Click2Houston |date=February 13, 2025}}</ref>

==Campus==
[[File:Ezekiel W. Cullen Building (Alternate).JPG|thumb|left|[[Ezekiel W. Cullen Building]]]]
UH is in southeast Houston, with an official address of 4800 Calhoun Road. It was known as University of {{nowrap|Houston–University Park}} from 1983 to 1991.<ref name="Book"/><ref name="University of Houston"/> The campus spans {{convert|894|acres|km2}} and is roughly bisected by Cullen Boulevard—a thoroughfare that has become synonymous with the university. The Third Ward Redevelopment Council defines the University of Houston as being part of the [[Third Ward, Houston|Third Ward]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Witcher, T.R.|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/1995-07-20/news/third-ward-rising/|title=Third Ward Rising|work=[[Houston Press]]|date=1995-07-20|access-date=2020-03-18|quote=To the east, across Cullen, is UH, and then the Houston Belt & Terminal railroad right of way, which the council uses as the community's eastern boundary. [In other words the council defines UH as part of the Third Ward]|archive-date=February 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217005758/http://www.houstonpress.com/1995-07-20/news/third-ward-rising/|url-status=live}}</ref> Melissa Correa of [[KHOU]] also stated that the university is in the Third Ward.<ref>{{cite web|author=Correa, Melissa|url=https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/innovation-vs-gentrification-third-ward-residents-want-to-grow-with-neighborhood-not-be-replaced/285-799beace-3e25-4bd0-978d-e458ce920df0|title=Innovation vs. gentrification: Third Ward residents want to grow with neighborhood, not be replaced|work=[[KHOU]]|date=2019-12-30|access-date=2020-03-18|quote=That's one piece of a very rich history of the Third Ward, home to the University of Houston and Texas Southern University.|archive-date=March 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318204116/https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/innovation-vs-gentrification-third-ward-residents-want-to-grow-with-neighborhood-not-be-replaced/285-799beace-3e25-4bd0-978d-e458ce920df0|url-status=live}}</ref>

The university campus includes numerous green spaces, fountains and sculptures, including a work by famed sculptor [[Jim Sanborn]]. Renowned architects [[César Pelli]] and [[Philip Johnson]] have designed buildings on the UH campus.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uh.edu/uhtoday/2004/06jun/062804sanborn.html |title=Art that Speaks for Itself Enlightens New Sculpture |author=Vasquez, Leticia |publisher=University of Houston |work=UH Today |access-date=October 12, 2007 |archive-date=August 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825055511/http://www.uh.edu/uhtoday/2004/06jun/062804sanborn.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Recent campus beautification projects have garnered awards from the Keep Houston Beautiful group for improvements made to the Cullen Boulevard corridor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uh.edu/uhtoday/2005/12dec/121505keephoustonbeautiful.html |title=UH Keeps Houston Beautiful |author=Parker, Francine |publisher=University of Houston |work=UH Today |access-date=October 12, 2007 |archive-date=February 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205175835/http://www.uh.edu/uhtoday/2005/12dec/121505keephoustonbeautiful.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

UH is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System (UH System). It has additional instructional sites located in Sugar Land and Katy. The University of {{nowrap|Houston–Clear Lake}} (UHCL), the University of Houston–Downtown (UHD), and the University of {{nowrap|Houston–Victoria}} (UHV) are separate universities; they are not instructional sites of UH.
{{clear}}

===Campus layout===
[[File:Science and Engineering Classroom.JPG|thumb|Science and Engineering Classroom Building]]
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. In addition, the campus contains several outlying areas not identified among the five districts.

The Central Distinct contains the academic core of the university and consists of the M.D. Anderson Library, the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, the [[University of Houston College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics|College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics]], the College of Technology and the Honors College. The interior of the campus has the original buildings: the [[Roy G. Cullen Building]], the Old Science Building, and the [[Ezekiel W. Cullen Building]]. Academic and research facilities include the [[Cullen Performance Hall]], the Science and Engineering Research and Classroom Complex, and [[Texas Center for Superconductivity]] and various other science and liberal arts buildings. This area of campus features the reflecting pool at Cullen Family Plaza, the Lynn Eusan Park, and various plazas and green spaces.
[[File:Farish Hall.JPG|thumb|left|Stephen Power Farish Hall]]

The Arts District is located in the northern part of campus and is home to the university's [[University of Houston School of Art|School of Art]], the [[Moores School of Music]], the [[University of Houston School of Theatre and Dance|School of Theatre and Dance]], the [[Hines College of Architecture|Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design]], and the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication. The district also has the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Performing Arts which houses the Lyndall Finley Wortham Theatre, the main stage of the School of Theatre and Dance, and Moores Opera Center. Other facilities include the Dudley Recital Hall and the Organ Recital Hall in the Fine Arts Building, the Quintero Theatre in the School of Theatre and Dance, and the Moores Opera House and Choral Recital Hall in the Moores School of Music Building.

The Professional District is located northeast and east of the university campus. The district has facilities of the [[University of Houston Law Center]], the [[Cullen College of Engineering]] and the [[Bauer College of Business|C.T. Bauer College of Business]]. This area of campus is home to Calhoun Lofts, which is an upper-level and graduate housing facility. The East Parking Garage is located on the east end of the district. Adjacent to the district is the University Center (UC), the larger of two student unions on campus.

The Residential District is in the southern portion of the campus, along Wheeler Avenue and east of Martin Luther King Boulevard. This area has undergraduate dormitories, the [[Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management|Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management]], now Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership, and the [[University of Houston College of Optometry|College of Optometry]]. Dormitory facilities include the twin 18-story [[Moody Towers]], Cougar Village, University Lofts, Cougar Place, and the recently demolished Quadrangle which had the following five separate halls: Oberholtzer, Bates, Taub, Settegast, and Law. The Quadrangle was rebuilt in 2020 and renamed The Quad, admitting sophomore level students and up. Adjacent to the Moody Towers and Lynn Eusan Park is the Hilton University of Houston Hotel.

The Athletics District covers the northwest and west part of campus. It includes athletic training facilities for UH sport teams and its stadiums. The western part of the district is home to TDECU Stadium, the football indoor practice facility and the Stadium Parking Garage. Across the parking garage, in the northwestern portion of the district, is the Hofheinz Pavilion. In 2018, the stadium was rebuilt and renamed to the Fertitta Center after UH received a $20 million donation from entrepreneur and UH System Board of Regents chairman Tilman Fertitta. Facilities surrounding the stadium are Carl Lewis International Track & Field Complex, Cougar Field, Softball Stadium, the Alumni Center and the Athletic Center.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stipes |first1=Chris |title=Tilman Fertitta to be Honored at Fertitta Center Private Opening Celebration |url=https://www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2018/november-2018/11262018-fertitta |website=www.uh.edu |publisher=University of Houston |access-date=27 September 2022 |language=en |date=2018 |url-status=live |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512194121/https://www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2018/november-2018/11262018-fertitta }}</ref>

{{clear}}

===Facilities===
[[File:Wortham Theatre.JPG|thumb|Lyndall Finley Wortham Theater]]
The university's Energy Research Park is a research park specializing in energy research, consisting of {{convert|74|acre|km2}} and {{convert|19|acre|km2}} of undeveloped land.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uh.edu/magazine/09f/features/energy/index.php |title=New Energy Research Park Energizes March to Tier One |author=Bonnin, Richard |publisher=The University of Houston Magazine |date=2009 |access-date=January 31, 2013 |archive-date=February 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212183315/http://www.uh.edu/magazine/09f/features/energy/index.php |url-status=live }}</ref> Much of the physical property was originally developed in 1953 by the oilfield services company [[Schlumberger]] as its global headquarters. It was acquired by the university in 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.chron.com/business/article/Energy-players-team-up-in-UH-research-park-3849102.php |title=Energy players team up in UH research park |author=Kever, Jeannie |newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]] |date=September 7, 2012 |access-date=January 31, 2013 |archive-date=November 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102175110/http://www.chron.com/business/article/Energy-players-team-up-in-UH-research-park-3849102.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[University of Houston Libraries]] is the library system of the university. It consists of the M.D. Anderson Library and three branch libraries: the Music Library, William R. Jenkins Architecture, Design & Art Library and the Health Sciences Library. In addition to the libraries administered by the UH Libraries, the university also has the O'Quinn Law Library and the Conrad N. Hilton Library.

The [[Cullen Performance Hall]] is a 1,612 seat proscenium theater which offers a variety of events sponsored by departments and organizations at the university in addition to contemporary music concerts, opera, modern dance, and theatrical performances put on by groups in and outside the Houston area.<ref>{{cite web |title=University of Houston: Cullen Performance Hall |url=https://uh.edu/cullen-performance-hall/_images/CPH-seating-chart21.jpg |website=University of Houston |publisher=The Cougar |access-date=27 September 2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927194033/https://uh.edu/cullen-performance-hall/_images/CPH-seating-chart21.jpg }}</ref> The [[Blaffer Art Museum]], a contemporary art museum, exhibits the works of both international artists and those of students in the university's [[University of Houston School of Art|School of Art]].

[[File:UH Recreation and Wellness Center.jpg|thumb|left|Campus Recreation and Wellness Center]]
The {{convert|264000|sqft}} Campus Recreation and Wellness Center, which is home to the nation's largest collegiate natatorium, was recognized by the National Intramural-Sports Association as an outstanding facility upon its completion in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nirsa.org/about/awards/awards_04.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040617024931/http://www.nirsa.org/about/awards/awards_04.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 17, 2004 |title=NIRSA Awards |publisher=National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association |access-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thedailycougar.com/static/vol70/19/news/news2.html |work=The Daily Cougar |title=CRWC wins national award |author=Kastendieck, Todd |access-date=March 18, 2008}}{{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

The LeRoy and Lucile Melcher Center for Public Broadcasting houses the studios and offices of [[KUHT]] Houston [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]], the nation's first public television station;<ref>{{cite web|title=Appreciation for KUHT, Houston Public Television|work=Resolution of the Board of Directors, Corporation for Public Broadcasting|date=May 24, 1993|access-date=April 8, 2009|url=http://www.cpb.org/aboutcpb/leadership/board/resolutions/resolution.php?prn=807|archive-date=February 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218184423/http://www.cpb.org/aboutcpb/leadership/board/resolutions/resolution.php?prn=807|url-status=live}}</ref> [[KUHF]] (88.7 FM), Houston's [[NPR]] station; the Center for Public Policy Polling; and television studio labs.

The {{convert|200000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} Science and Engineering Complex (SEC) was designed by architect [[César Pelli]]'s firm, Pelli, Clarke & Partners.<ref>[http://www.pcparch.com/textOnly/projects.cfm#81 Pelli Clarke Pelli Projects] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016120014/http://pcparch.com/textOnly/projects.cfm#81 |date=October 16, 2007 }}. Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects official site. Retrieved October 12, 2007.</ref> It houses facilities for many interdisciplinary research programs at UH, including bionanotechnology.

The university has an on-campus Hilton hotel that is part of the [[Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management|Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership]]. This hotel was established with a donation by the founder of Hilton Hotels, [[Conrad N. Hilton]], and is staffed by students in the College of Global Hospitality Leadership.

The University of Houston operates a {{convert|250|acre|km2}} branch campus in Sugar Land. The campus was founded in 1995 as a higher education "teaching center" of the University of Houston System. The branch campus has three buildings for exclusive use by the university: the Albert and Mamie George Building, Brazos Hall, and the College of Technology building. Additionally, the University Branch of the [[Fort Bend County Libraries]] system is located on the campus for use by students and the Sugar Land community.

Safety concerns have been raised regarding campus facilities. Parking garages were the site of increased crime in 2023, with 12 reported thefts in one semester at the Welcome Center Garage.<ref name="ChronicleParking">{{cite news |title=Crime reports spike near UH parking garages |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |date=November 3, 2022}}</ref>
Students protested a 30% increase in parking permit fees while shuttle services were reduced.<ref name="KHOUParking">{{cite news |title=UH students protest parking fees after 30% hike |publisher=KHOU 11 |date=February 9, 2023}}</ref> Many academic buildings and labs are reportedlt in need of upgrades, particularly in engineering and science facilities.<ref name="CougarFacilities">{{cite news |title=Deferred maintenance plagues aging campus buildings |newspaper=Daily Cougar |date=March 15, 2023}}</ref>

{{clear}}

==Institutional structure==
===Governance===
The University of Houston (UH) is one of four separate and distinct institutions in the [[University of Houston System]], and was known as University of {{nowrap|Houston–University Park}} from 1983 to 1991.<ref name="Book"/><ref name="University of Houston"/> UH is the flagship institution of the UH System. It is a multi-campus university with a branch campus located in Sugar Land. The University of Houston–Clear Lake (UHCL), the University of Houston–Downtown (UHD), and the University of Houston–Victoria (UHV) are stand-alone universities; they are not branch campuses of UH.

The organization and control of the UH is vested in the UH System Board of Regents. The board consists of nine members who are appointed by the governor for a six-year term and has all the rights, powers and duties that it has with respect to the organization and control of other institutions in the System; however, UH is maintained as a separate and distinct institution.

===Administration===
{{see also|List of Presidents of the University of Houston}}
The president is the chief executive officer (CEO) of the University of Houston, and serves concurrently as chancellor of the UH System. The position is appointed by its board of regents. As of January 2008, [[Renu Khator]] has been president of the University of Houston and chancellor of the UH System.

The administrations of UH and the UH System are located on the university campus in the [[Ezekiel W. Cullen Building]]. From 1961 until 1977, the Weingarten House in [[Riverside Terrace, Houston|Riverside Terrace]] housed the president of UH.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://digital.lib.uh.edu/collection/p15195coll3/item/50|title=Exterior view of the former President's residence, Weingarten House|publisher=University of Houston|access-date=2019-07-25|archive-date=October 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025161527/https://digital.lib.uh.edu/collection/p15195coll3/item/50|url-status=live}}</ref> Currently, the chancellor/president resides in the Wortham House in [[Broadacres, Houston|Broadacres Historic District]], provided by the UH System Board of Regents as part of the chancellor/president's employment contract.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://info.lib.uh.edu/sca/digital/time/buildings_large.html?ID=83 |title=Wortham House |publisher=University of Houston Libraries |work=UH Through Time |access-date=June 26, 2008 |archive-date=September 3, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903080416/http://info.lib.uh.edu/sca/digital/time/buildings_large.html?ID=83 |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Academics==
[[File:M.D. Anderson Library.JPG|thumb|left|[[University of Houston Libraries|M.D. Anderson Library]] is the general collection library of the university]]

{|class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left:1em; font-size:90%; line-height:1.4em; width:20em;"
|-
|- style="background:red; color:white; text-align:center;"
| '''Colleges''' || '''Founded'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Junior College (defunct) || 1927
|- style="text-align:center;"
| General College (defunct) || 1933
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Graduate School || 1939
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Cullen College of Engineering]] || 1941
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[University of Houston College of Technology|College of Technology]] (defunct) || 1941
|- style="text-align:center;"
| College of Arts and Sciences (defunct) || 1942
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Bauer College of Business]] || 1942
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Downtown School (defunct) || 1943
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[University of Houston College of Education|College of Education]] || 1945
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[University of Houston College of Pharmacy|College of Pharmacy]] || 1946
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[University of Houston Law Center]] || 1947
|- style="text-align:center;"
| College of Nursing (defunct) || 1948
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[University of Houston College of Optometry|College of Optometry]]|| 1952
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Hines College of Architecture|Hines College of Architecture and Design]] || 1956
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work|Graduate College of Social Work]] || 1967
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management|Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership]] ||  1969
|- style="text-align:center;"
| College of Continuing Education || 1974
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[University of Houston College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics|College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics]] || 1975
|- style="text-align:center;"
| College of Social Science (defunct) || 1975
|- style="text-align:center;"
| College of Humanities and Fine Arts (defunct) || 1975
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Hobby School of Public Affairs || 1981
|- style="text-align:center;"
| The Honors College || 1993
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[University of Houston College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences|College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences]] || 2000
|- style="text-align:center;"
| Gessner College of Nursing || 2015
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts]] || 2016
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[University of Houston College of Medicine|Fertitta Family College of Medicine]] || 2019
|-
| colspan="2" style="{{NCAA secondary color cell|Houston Cougars}}text-align:center;"| References<ref name="houstoncolleges">{{cite web |title=Colleges, Schools & Departments|url=https://uh.edu/academics/colleges-departments |website=University of Houston |access-date=July 31, 2024 }}</ref>
|-
|}

The university offers over 310-degree programs. With final approval of a PhD in Communication Sciences and Disorders, a Doctorate in Nursing Practice, and a Doctorate in Medicine, university offers 51 doctoral degrees including three professional doctorate degrees in law, optometry, medicine and pharmacy.<ref name="University of Houston: About">{{cite web |author1=University of Houston |title=University of Houston: About |url=https://uh.edu/about/ |website=University of Houston |access-date=3 February 2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=February 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203205315/https://uh.edu/about/ }}</ref><ref name="Bachelor Degrees">{{cite web|url=http://www.uh.edu/ir/reports/statistical-handbook/2014/degree-programs/Inven%20of%20Degree%20Prog%202014-15%20-%20BACHELORS.pdf|title=Inventory of Degree Programs: Bachelor Degrees|publisher=University of Houston|access-date=November 24, 2015|archive-date=November 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125233728/http://www.uh.edu/ir/reports/statistical-handbook/2014/degree-programs/Inven%20of%20Degree%20Prog%202014-15%20-%20BACHELORS.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Master Degrees">{{cite web|url = http://www.uh.edu/ir/reports/statistical-handbook/2014/degree-programs/Inven%20of%20Degree%20Prog%202014-15%20-%20MASTERS.pdf|title = Inventory of Degree Programs: Master Degrees|publisher = University of Houston|access-date = November 24, 2015|archive-date = November 26, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151126002518/http://www.uh.edu/ir/reports/statistical-handbook/2014/degree-programs/Inven%20of%20Degree%20Prog%202014-15%20-%20MASTERS.pdf|url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="Doctoral Degrees">{{cite web |url=http://www.uh.edu/ir/reports/statistical-handbook/2014/degree-programs/Inven%20of%20Degree%20Prog%202014-15%20-%20PHD.pdf |title=Inventory of Degree Programs: Doctoral Degrees |publisher=University of Houston |access-date=November 24, 2015 |archive-date=November 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125234855/http://www.uh.edu/ir/reports/statistical-handbook/2014/degree-programs/Inven%20of%20Degree%20Prog%202014-15%20-%20PHD.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Special Professional">{{cite web |url = http://www.uh.edu/ir/reports/statistical-handbook/2014/degree-programs/Inven%20of%20Degree%20Prog%202014-15%20-%20SPECIAL%20PROFESSIONAL.pdf |title = Inventory of Degree Programs: Special Professional Degrees |publisher = University of Houston |access-date = November 24, 2015 |archive-date = November 25, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151125234111/http://www.uh.edu/ir/reports/statistical-handbook/2014/degree-programs/Inven%20of%20Degree%20Prog%202014-15%20-%20SPECIAL%20PROFESSIONAL.pdf |url-status = live }}</ref>

In 2022, UH System Board of Regents unanimously approved the addition of a new degree program of the Bachelor of Arts in Mexican American and Latino/a Applied Studies.  Being located in a city with a large Hispanic/Latino population, the degree aims to focus on the experiences and contributions of the Latino community in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stipes |first1=Chris |title=UH to Add New Degree Program on Latino/a Experience and Contributions |url=https://uh.edu/news-events/stories/2022-news-articles/february-2022/02242022-new-degree-program.php |website=www.uh.edu |publisher=University of Houston |access-date=27 September 2022 |language=en |date=2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927194033/https://uh.edu/news-events/stories/2022-news-articles/february-2022/02242022-new-degree-program.php }}</ref>

UH is one of four public universities in Texas with a [[Phi Beta Kappa]] chapter.<ref name="Phi Beta Kappa Establishes Chapter at UH">{{cite web | url = http://www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2015/October/10092015UHPBKChapter.php | title = Phi Beta Kappa, Nation's Most Prestigious Honor Society, Establishes Chapter at UH | publisher = University of Houston | access-date = March 30, 2016 | archive-date = April 4, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160404162057/http://www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2015/October/10092015UHPBKChapter.php | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="PBK Chapter Directory">{{cite web|url=https://www.pbk.org/web/PBK_Member/Chapter_Directory.aspx|title=PBK Chapter Directory|publisher=[[Phi Beta Kappa]]|access-date=March 30, 2016|archive-date=August 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804143924/https://www.pbk.org/web/PBK_Member/Chapter_Directory.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> The University of Houston's faculty includes National Medal of Science recipient [[Paul C. W. Chu|Paul Chu]] from the [[UH Physics Department|Physics Department]], and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate [[Jody Williams]].

The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) has the Creative Writing Program which includes founders such as alumnus [[Donald Barthelme]] and offers degrees in poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. The [[Hines College of Architecture|Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design]] is one of only 36 schools to have an accreditation from the National Architectural Accrediting Board.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.naab.org/usr_doc/Accredited_Programs_22.pdf |title=Accredited and Candidate Programs in Architecture |publisher=[[National Architectural Accrediting Board]] |access-date=October 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20071026072200/http://www.naab.org/usr_doc/Accredited_Programs_22.pdf |archive-date=October 26, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Melcher Hall (Front).JPG|thumb|Melcher Hall, one of three buildings of the [[Bauer College of Business]]]]

In August 2016, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved the creation of the Hobby School of Public Affairs.<ref>{{cite web|title=UH Hobby School of Public Affairs Gains Official Approval|publisher=University of Houston|date=August 9, 2016|url=http://www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2016/August/0892016HobbApproval.php|access-date=August 22, 2016|archive-date=August 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815064711/http://www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2016/August/0892016HobbApproval.php|url-status=live}}</ref> The school, named in honor of former Texas Lt. Gov. [[William P. Hobby Jr.|Bill Hobby]], builds on the existing educational and research programs of the Center for Public Policy, which was founded at UH in 1981. The designation officially moves the Master of Public Policy Degree from the UH College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences to the Hobby School of Public Affairs and approves the addition of a Master of Public Policy degree as a dual degree with the Graduate College of Social Work's Master of Social Work.

In October 2018, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved the creation of the College of Medicine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2018/10/25/uh-and-unt-hsc-given-go-ahead-open-medical-schools/|title=Texas higher education board approves medical schools for University of Houston and UNT Health Science Center|last1=Tribune|first1=The Texas|last2=Najmabadi|first2=Shannon|date=2018-10-25|website=The Texas Tribune|language=en|access-date=2019-01-29|archive-date=January 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129122910/https://www.texastribune.org/2018/10/25/uh-and-unt-hsc-given-go-ahead-open-medical-schools/|url-status=live}}</ref> A site has been selected for the college's new building, and the inaugural class entered in 2020.

The UHin4 fixed-tuition program has been criticized for pressuring students into taking 15+ credit semesters, with 40% of participants dropping out due to workload.<ref name="ChronicleUHin4">{{cite news |title=Is UHin4 worth it? Students say it leads to burnout |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |date=April 28, 2022}}</ref> In 2023, students reported technical issues with class registration systems that locked them out of required courses.<ref name="CougarRegistration">{{cite news |title=Waitlist failures leave students locked out of classes |newspaper=Daily Cougar |date=January 18, 2023}}</ref> And the university has faced criticism for slow responses to residency appeals and credit transfer issues.<ref name="TribuneResidency"/>

===Rankings===
{{Infobox US university ranking
<!-- National rankings -->
| Forbes_NU = 107
| USNWR_NU = 132 (tie)
| Wamo_NU = 157
| WSJ_NU = 245
<!-- Global rankings -->
| ARWU_W = 201–300
| QS_W = 556 (tie)
| THE_W = 401–500
| USNWR_W = 416 (tie)
}}

In the 2026 ''[[U.S. News & World Report]]'' rankings, UH placed in the top 50 universities for social mobility.<ref name="Rankings_USNWR_NU" /> That same year, the University of Houston Law Center was ranked tied for 63rd in the nation and 5th in the state of Texas in the graduate school rankings.<ref name="2025USNWRgrad" /> The undergraduate entrepreneurship studies program at the Bauer College of Business was also ranked 9th in the nation.<ref name="Rankings_USNWR_NU" /> In the 2025 [[The Princeton Review]] and ''[[Entrepreneur (magazine)|Entrepreneur]]'' magazine rankings, the undergraduate entrepreneurship program ranked 1st in the nation.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 12, 2024 |title=Top 50 Entrepreneurship: Ugrad |url=https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings?rankings=top-50-entrepreneurship-ugrad |access-date=October 11, 2025 |website=The Princeton Review}}</ref>

Critics, including University of Houston faculty members, have alleged that the university's improvement in the ''U.S. News & World Report'' rankings was largely due to changes in the ranking methodology which removed key measures of academic excellence, such as the percentage of faculty with the highest degrees, the percentage of students in the top 10 percent of their high school class, and average class size. Those critics have said that these changes gave the appearance of progress without reflecting any meaningful improvement in academic standards and that the university administration's policies aimed at climbing the rankings have actively eroded academic excellence.<ref>{{cite web |title=Why the New U.S. News Rankings Are Flawed (Opinion) |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/opinion/views/2023/10/09/why-new-us-news-rankings-are-flawed-opinion |access-date=8 September 2024 |website=Inside Higher Ed |publisher=Inside Higher Ed |date=9 October 2023}}</ref><ref name="The Chronicle of Higher Education">{{cite web |title=Humanities on the Cutting-Room Floor |url=https://www.chronicle.com/article/humanities-on-the-cutting-room-floor |access-date=8 September 2024 |website=The Chronicle of Higher Education |publisher=The Chronicle of Higher Education}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="font-size: 90%;width:400px; text-align:left"
|-
! colspan=3 |National Rankings by Subject<br />(as of 2025)<ref name="2025USNWRgrad">{{cite web |date=September 23, 2025 |title=University of Houston - Overall Rankings |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/university-of-houston-225511/overall-rankings |access-date=October 11, 2025 |website=[[U.S. News & World Report]]}}</ref>
|-
! College
! Program
! Ranking
|-
| BAUER || Business || Unranked
|-
| CLASS || Clinical Psychology || 91 (tie)
|-
| CLASS || Economics || 68 (tie)
|-
| CLASS || English || 97 (tie)
|-
| CLASS || History || 86 (tie)
|-
| CLASS || Political Science || 58 (tie)
|-
| CLASS || Psychology || 95 (tie)
|-
| CLASS || Speech-Language Pathology || 39 (tie)
|-
| CULLEN || Engineering || 72 (tie)
|-
| EDU || Education || 81 (tie)
|-
| HOBBY || Public Affairs || 72 (tie)
|-
| KGMCA || Fine Arts || 124 (tie)
|-
| LAW || Law || 63 (tie)
|-
| MED || Medicine: Primary Care || Unranked
|-
| MED || Medicine: Research || Unranked
|-
| NSM || Biological Sciences || 175 (tie)
|-
| NSM || Chemistry || 81 (tie)
|-
| NSM || Computer Science || 110 (tie)
|-
| NSM || Earth Sciences || 70 (tie)
|-
| NSM || Mathematics || 91 (tie)
|-
| NSM || Physics || 89 (tie)
|-
| PHARM || Pharmacy || 41 (tie)
|-
| SW || Social Work || 67 (tie)
|}
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="float:center; font-size: 90%; width:400px; text-align:left"
|-
! colspan=4 |Global Rankings by Subject<br />(as of 2025)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/university-of-houston-225511 |title=University of Houston in United States - US News Best Global Universities |date=June 17, 2025 |website=[[U.S. News & World Report]] |access-date=June 19, 2025 }}</ref>
|-
! College
! Program
! Ranking
|-
| BAUER || Economics & Business || 242
|-
| CLASS || Psychiatry/Psychology || 249 (tie)
|-
| CLASS || Social Sciences & Public Health || 247 (tie)
|-
| CULLEN || Civil Engineering || 194 (tie)
|-
| CULLEN || Electrical & Electronic Engineering || 59
|-
| CULLEN || Energy & Fuels || 294
|-
| CULLEN || Engineering || 221 (tie)
|-
| CULLEN || Materials Science || 185 (tie)
|-
| CULLEN || Nanoscience & Nanotechnology|| 274
|-
| CULLEN || Neuroscience & Behavior || 492
|-
| EDU || Public, Environmental & Occupational Health || 454
|-
| MED || Clinical Medicine || 505 (tie)
|-
| NSM || Biology & Biochemistry || 655 (tie)
|-
| NSM || Chemistry || 354
|-
| NSM || Computer Science || 300
|-
| NSM || Environment/Ecology || 692 (tie)
|-
| NSM || Geosciences || 244 (tie)
|-
| NSM || Physical Chemistry || 281 (tie)
|-
| NSM || Physics || 507 (tie)
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! School
! Founded
! 2022 Undergraduate Enrollment<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web |title=University of Houston Institutional Research |url=https://uh.edu/ir/reports/new-statistical-handbook/student-enrollment/ |access-date=March 9, 2023 |website=uh.edu |archive-date=March 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309230232/https://uh.edu/ir/reports/new-statistical-handbook/student-enrollment/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
! 2022 Graduate Enrollment<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
|-
| align="left" |University of Houston
|1927
|37,282
|9,418
|-
| align="left" |[[University of Houston College of Medicine|Medicine]]
|2019
|N/A
|120
|-
| align="left" |Pharmacy
|1946
|N/A
|550
|-
| align="left" |[[University of Houston Law Center|Law]]
|1947
|N/A
|825
|-
| align="left" |Optometry
|1952
|N/A
|419
|-
| align="left" |[[Hines College of Architecture|Architecture]]
|1956
|824
|89
|-
| align="left" |[[Bauer College of Business|Business]]
|1942
|6,369
|1,189
|-
| align="left" |[[Cullen College of Engineering|Engineering]]
|1941
|3,209
|1,659
|-
| align="left" |Education
|1945
|2,663
|850
|-
| align="left" |Public Affairs
|1981
|47
|45
|-
| align="left" |Social Work
|1967
|N/A
|544
|-
| align="left" |Arts
|2016
|1,082
|247
|-
| align="left" |Liberal arts & Social Sciences
|2000
|10,621
|980
|-
| align="left" |Natural Sciences
|1975
|4,789
|1,100
|-
| align="left" |Technology
|1941
|4,704
|549
|-
| align="left" |Hospitality
|1969
|633
|127
|-
| align="left" |Nursing
|2015
|277
|102
|}
{{clear}}

==Research==
[[File:University of Houston Science Center.JPG|thumb|right|Houston Science Center]]
The Carnegie Foundation classifies UH as a doctoral degree-granting institution with "highest research activity".<ref name="Tier One Research"/><ref name="Tier One Research 2"/><ref name="Tier One Research 3"/> The designation recognizes it as one of only nine universities in Texas with the classification.<ref name="Tier One Research"/><ref name="Tier One Research 2"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2016/02/02/unt-ut-arlington-and-texas-tech-reach-carnegie-tie/ |title=Four Texas Colleges Reach Carnegie "Tier One" Status |work=The Texas Tribune |date=February 2, 2016 |access-date=November 24, 2016 |archive-date=July 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706181424/https://www.texastribune.org/2016/02/02/unt-ut-arlington-and-texas-tech-reach-carnegie-tie/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to the [[National Science Foundation]], UH spent $177&nbsp;million on research and development in 2018, ranking it 123rd in the nation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Table 20. Higher education R&D expenditures, ranked by FY 2018 R&D expenditures: FYs 2009–18 |url=https://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/herd/2018/html/herd18-dt-tab020.html |website=ncsesdata.nsf.gov |publisher=[[National Science Foundation]] |access-date=25 July 2020 |archive-date=June 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611114022/https://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/herd/2018/html/herd18-dt-tab020.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It operates more than 40 research centers and institutes on campus,<ref name="Research Expenditures">{{cite web|url=http://www.uhsystem.edu/chancellor/planning-and-performance/strategic-documents/reports/UH%202015-16%20Progress%20Card%20-%20Final.pdf|title=University of Houston Progress Card|publisher=University of Houston System|access-date=October 24, 2016|archive-date=October 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025050113/http://www.uhsystem.edu/chancellor/planning-and-performance/strategic-documents/reports/UH%202015-16%20Progress%20Card%20-%20Final.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Research Centers and Institutes">{{cite web |url=http://www.uh.edu/research/labs-center |title=Research Centers & Institutes |publisher=University of Houston |access-date=March 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213110858/http://uh.edu/research/labs-center |archive-date=December 13, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=UH DOR Centers|url=http://www.research.uh.edu/Home/Centers-Institutes-and-Labs.aspx|publisher=UH Division of Research|access-date=April 26, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510142442/http://www.research.uh.edu/Home/Centers-Institutes-and-Labs.aspx|archive-date=May 10, 2012}}</ref> and through these facilities, UH maintains partnerships with government, health care and private industry.<ref>{{cite web|title=Methodist Neurological Institute, University of Houston combine 'brain power'|work=Focus on ALS |access-date=April 1, 2009|url=http://www.focusonals.com/university_combine.htm|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206022259/http://www.focusonals.com/university_combine.htm|archive-date=December 6, 2008}}</ref> Areas of interdisciplinary research include nanotechnology, superconductivity, space commercialization and exploration, biomedical sciences and engineering, energy and natural resources, and artificial intelligence.<ref name="UH Nanofabrication Facility">{{cite web|title=UH Nanofabrication Facility|url=http://nanofab.uh.edu/|access-date=April 26, 2012|archive-date=April 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420113327/http://nanofab.uh.edu/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Center for Advanced Materials|url=http://www.cam.uh.edu/|publisher=CAM|access-date=April 26, 2012|archive-date=April 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417145654/http://www.cam.uh.edu/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Integrated Bio and Nano Systems |url=http://www.uh.edu/ibns/ |publisher=IBNS |access-date=April 26, 2012 |archive-date=February 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217023629/http://www.uh.edu/ibns/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=TiiMS|url=http://www.egr.uh.edu/nasaureti/|publisher=UH Engineering|access-date=April 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523065020/http://www.egr.uh.edu/nasaureti/|archive-date=May 23, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

The university has five institutional research thrusts to address several research challenges aimed at economic development and improving the quality of life. The five thrusts include: Cyber and Physical Security, Drug Discovery and Development, Sustainable Communities and Infrastructure, Energy Security and Transition, and Accessible Health Care.<ref name="Research Clusters">{{cite web |url=http://www.uh.edu/research/clusters/index.php|title=University of Houston: Research Clusters|publisher=University of Houston|access-date=June 20, 2011|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110621232511/http://www.uh.edu/research/clusters/index.php|archive-date=June 21, 2011}}</ref>

In 2018, UH launched its 50in5 initiative. Led by the Provost Paula Short and Vice President for Research Amr Elnashai, the university is working to increase research by 50 percent in five years. This includes the doubling of UH's national centers from five to 10, thereby improving its position for the Association of American University's membership.<ref>{{cite web |title=50-in-5: University of Houston |url=https://www.uh.edu/50-in-5/ |website=University of Houston |access-date=27 September 2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927194039/https://www.uh.edu/50-in-5/ }}</ref>

In 2022, UH received $4 million for the expansion of its Center of Economic Inclusion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ketterer |first=Samantha |date=2022-07-25 |title=Prominent local family's $4M donation renames and expands UH's new Center for Economic Inclusion |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/4-million-gift-renames-expands-new-UH-Center-17315101.php |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=Houston Chronicle |language=en-US |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314005757/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/4-million-gift-renames-expands-new-UH-Center-17315101.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Student life==
{| class="wikitable floatright sortable collapsible"; text-align:right; font-size:80%;"
|+ style="font-size:90%" |Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023<ref>{{cite web |title= College Scorecard: University of Houston|url=https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school?225511-University-of-Houston|website=College Scorecard |publisher=[[United States Department of Education]] |access-date=July 2, 2025 }}</ref>
|-
! Race and ethnicity
! colspan="2" data-sort-type=number |Total
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]]
|align=right| {{bartable|38|%|2||background:green}}
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]]
|align=right| {{bartable|24|%|2||background:orange}}
|-
| [[Non-Hispanic whites|White]]
|align=right| {{bartable|17|%|2||background:cyan}}
|-
| [[African Americans|Black]]
|align=right| {{bartable|11|%|2||background:purple}}
|-
| [[International student]]
|align=right| {{bartable|5|%|2||background:#008080}}
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races]]
|align=right| {{bartable|3|%|2||background:violet}}
|-
| Unknown
|align=right| {{bartable|1|%|2||background:grey}} 
|-
! colspan="4" data-sort-type=number |[[Economic diversity]]
|-
| [[American lower class|Low-income]]{{efn|The percentage of students who received an income-based federal [[Pell grant]] intended for low-income students.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|42|%|2||background:red}}
|-
| [[Affluence in the United States|Affluent]]{{efn|The percentage of students who are a part of the [[American middle class]] at the bare minimum.}}
|align=right| {{bartable|58|%|2||background:black}}
|}
The University of Houston is notable for its diverse student body, and ''[[U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Ranking|U.S. News & World Report]]'' ranks the university as the second-most ethnically diverse research university in the United States.<ref name="Diversity ranking">{{cite web |url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/national-campus-ethnic-diversity |title=Best Colleges: Racial Diversity: National Universities |work=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=March 27, 2010 |archive-date=April 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412142236/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/national-campus-ethnic-diversity |url-status=live }}</ref> UH's Asian and Hispanic student population is among the highest in the state.  Due to the high percentage of Hispanic students on campus, UH has been deemed a [[Hispanic-serving institution]]. Its international student population is primarily from Asia.

===Art, music and theatre===
[[File:Cullen Performance Hall (Night).JPG|thumb|left|[[Cullen Performance Hall]]]]
Located in the Fine Arts Building, [[Blaffer Art Museum]] is a contemporary art museum dedicated to emerging, mid-career, and underrepresented artists and bodies of work through exhibitions, publications, and public programs. Its educational programs include public lectures, artists' talks, docent tours, audio guides, and youth programs such as Studio Saturday, Summer Arts, and the Young Artist Apprenticeship Program.

The [[Cullen Performance Hall]] is a 1,612 seat proscenium theater located near Entrance 1. The hall offers a variety of events sponsored by departments and organizations at the university in addition to contemporary music concerts, opera, modern dance, and theatrical performances put on by groups in and outside the Houston area.<ref>{{cite web |title=University of Houston: Cullen Performance Hall |url=https://uh.edu/cullen-performance-hall/_images/CPH-seating-chart21.jpg |website=University of Houston |access-date=27 September 2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927194033/https://uh.edu/cullen-performance-hall/_images/CPH-seating-chart21.jpg }}</ref>

The [[Moores School of Music]] presents concerts in various campus venues: Dudley Recital Hall and the Organ Recital Hall in the Fine Arts Building, and in the Moores Opera House and Choral Recital Hall in the music building. Musical events range from opera to jazz with performers including students, faculty, and guest artists.

The [[University of Houston School of Theatre and Dance|School of Theatre and Dance]] offers a subscription series of five plays each year. Works by classical and modern dramatists, as well as new musical collaborators, are seen in full productions or "gypsy runthroughs".

The [[University of Houston School of Art|School of Art]] exhibits young artists several times a year, including the Master of Fine Arts exhibition held traditionally near the end of the spring semester in the Blaffer Art Museum. The School of Art also hosts presentations by numerous visiting artists and art historians throughout the academic year.

===Housing===
{{main|University of Houston student housing}}
[[File:Cougar Village.JPG|thumb|Cougar Village I]]
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.

[[Moody Towers]], frequently just called "Moody", is one of the tallest complexes on campus and the largest area of residence halls. Each of the two towers consists of eighteen stories and together house 1,100 students. The Towers feature a newly renovated dining hall. The rooms in Moody were renovated during the summer of 2011.

The Quad is the newest dorm on campus, having been completed in the Fall of 2020. Named after the former dorms, "The Quadrangle", there are laundry facilities on each floor, as well as a recreational facility, computer lab, and an outdoor courtyard. An extension of The Quad, the Townhouses are single-student dorms right across from The Quad. In total, The Quad and Townhouses combine for 7 buildings that house almost 1,200 students.
[[File:Calhoun Lofts.JPG|thumb|left|Calhoun Lofts]]
In August 2009, University Lofts—a university-owned and operated residential facility aimed at graduate and professional students—opened and includes retail stores, lecture halls, and recreation facilities.

Cougar Village I & II are a freshman, including first year Honors students, dorm which opened in August 2010 and August 2013, respectively. The dormitory features themed floors with kitchens and lounges, a tutoring center, computer labs, multi-purpose rooms, study areas, a convenience store, a laundry facility, and a fitness center. Cougar Village I & II are exclusive only to freshman and Honors College students.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uh.edu/dsa/student_lofts.html |title=Student Lofts |publisher=UH Division of Student Affairs |access-date=October 1, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016122037/http://uh.edu/dsa/student_lofts.html |archive-date=October 16, 2007}}</ref>

In addition to traditional dormitories, Cougar Place was an apartment-style housing complex consisting of 400 units. Cougar Place has since been demolished {{as of|2013|lc=y}} and has been replaced with a new on-campus housing complex for sophomores.<ref name="Housing">{{cite web |title=Housing Areas |url=http://www.housing.uh.edu/housingmain.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070908150242/http://www.housing.uh.edu/housingmain.html |archive-date=September 8, 2007 |access-date=October 1, 2007 |publisher=UH Residential Life & Housing}}</ref> The university has privately owned apartment complexes on campus: Cullen Oaks, Bayou Oaks, and Cambridge Oaks.

In June 2017, a divided panel of the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit]] found that the university did not violate the Constitution's [[Due Process Clause]] or [[Title IX]] when it expelled both a student for committing a [[campus sexual assault]] in a dorm room then abandoning the nude victim in a dorm elevator, as well as his girlfriend, who had recorded the assault and shared the video on social media.<ref>{{Bluebook journal |last=Note| title=Fifth Circuit Holds that Due Process Standards May Be Lowered in the Presence of "Overwhelming" Video and Photographic Evidence of Guilt| volume=131 | journal=[[Harvard Law Review|Harv. L. Rev.]] | page=634 | url=https://harvardlawreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/634-641_Online.pdf| year=2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite court |litigants=Plummer v. University of Houston|vol=860|reporter=F.3d |opinion=767 |court=5th Cir.|date=2017|url= https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=6012165481783480076 }}</ref>
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===Media===
The official student newspaper is ''[[The Daily Cougar|The Cougar]]'', formerly ''The Daily Cougar'', and has been published since 1927.<ref name="Roarin 07" /> Students also produce the ''Houstonian'' magazine, which is for graduating students; ''Cooglife'', a monthly lifestyle magazine; and ''Transitions'', a magazine for incoming students.

[[CoogTV]] is a live student-run TV network that appears on the University of Houston cable network.

CoogRadio, UH's student-run college radio station, made its debut on August 29, 2011.<ref>{{cite web |last=Valdez |first=Tiffany |url=http://coogradio.com |title=Student-run radio at the University of Houston |publisher=Coog Radio |access-date=August 15, 2014 |archive-date=August 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819084216/http://coogradio.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
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==Traditions==
[[File:University of Houston Logo.svg|alt=|left|upright=.8|thumb|Collegiate symbol and heritage mark]]
The seal of the University of Houston, officially adopted in 1938, is a stylized version of the coat-of-arms of General [[Sam Houston]]. The first official version was placed on the floor of the [[Roy Gustav Cullen Building]].<ref name="Traditions">{{cite web |url=http://uhcougars.cstv.com/trads/hou-trads.html |title=University of Houston Traditions |publisher=UH Athletics |access-date=October 16, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027111828/http://uhcougars.cstv.com/trads/hou-trads.html |archive-date=October 27, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

UH's official colors are scarlet red and albino white. These were the colors of Sam Houston's ancestor, [[Sir Hugh de Paduinan]], and were adopted by UH at the same time as the official seal. Scarlet red symbolizes courage or inner strength to face the unknown, and white symbolizes the goodness and purity of spirit embodied in helping one's fellow man.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uh.edu/about/history/traditions.php |title=University of Houston: UH Traditions |publisher=University of Houston |access-date=March 23, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324015009/http://www.uh.edu/about/history/traditions.php |archive-date=March 24, 2014}}</ref>

Cougar Red Friday is part of the ongoing Keep Houston Red initiative at the University of Houston. Students and staff are encouraged to wear red shirts on Friday to show pride for the university.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.uh.edu/features/on-campus/red-friday/index.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518052100/http://www.uh.edu/features/on-campus/red-friday/index.php|url-status=dead|title="Cougar Red Friday"|archive-date=May 18, 2013}}</ref>
[[File:Shasta VI.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Shasta (mascot)|Shasta VI]] at the [[Houston Zoo]], 2011]]
The school's official mascot is a [[cougar]], which was adopted in 1947 and later named [[Shasta (mascot)|Shasta]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ssl.uh.edu/about/history/index|title=Our History & Traditions|website=ssl.uh.edu|access-date=December 31, 2018|archive-date=October 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025161539/https://ssl.uh.edu/about/history/index|url-status=live}}</ref> The university owned a series of female cougars, but this tradition ceased in 1989, upon the death of [[Shasta (mascot)#Shasta V|Shasta V]]. When a cougar cub was orphaned in Washington State and moved to the [[Houston Zoo]] in 2011, the university adopted it as its first live male cougar mascot and he was named Shasta VI.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blog.chron.com/newswatch/2012/03/uh-cougar-pride-takes-center-stage-with-new-mascot |title=UH Cougar pride takes center stage with new mascot |author=Stanton, Robert |newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]] |date=March 20, 2012 |access-date=March 23, 2014 |archive-date=March 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322210906/http://blog.chron.com/newswatch/2012/03/uh-cougar-pride-takes-center-stage-with-new-mascot/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Introducing Shasta VII">{{cite web |last1=University of Houston |title=Introducing Shasta VII |url=https://stories.uh.edu/2022-shasta-cub/index.html |website=stories.uh.edu |publisher=University of Houston |access-date=4 January 2023 |language=en |archive-date=January 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104193621/https://stories.uh.edu/2022-shasta-cub/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Shasta VI died in August 2022 from a progressive spinal disease. In November of the same year, the Houston Zoo received two orphaned male cubs from Washington State Fish & Wildlife Services and decided the cubs would carry the long-standing tradition of representing the University of Houston as Shasta VII and Louie.<ref name="Introducing Shasta VII"/>

The Frontiersmen—initially exclusive to members of the [[Sigma Chi]] fraternity, but later opened membership to the entire student body—is a group of students who participate in university events to drive school spirit. At football games, the Frontiersmen—donning cowboy hats, jeans and [[Duster (clothing)|dusters]] for attire—run across the field with the university's flag and the Texas flag after each score.

The BLAZE is an oil field warning siren, operated by the Frontiersmen, that was chosen to represent the university's ties to the petroleum industry. The purchase of the siren was completed in 1991. The Sigma Chi Fraternity has overseen the siren and gave it the name "The BLAZE" in honor of its fallen brother, David Blazek.<ref name="Book"/>

[[Frontier Fiesta]]—a re-creation of a 19th-century Western town, with music, food and historical exhibits—is a major event on campus each spring semester. The student-led festival is a part of a long-standing tradition dating back to the 1940s established by Gan Bey which later became the Sigma Chi Fraternity's Epsilon Xi chapter at UH.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fiesta fun in full swing |work=The Daily Cougar |author=Allison Smith |date=March 26, 2009 |access-date=April 8, 2009 |url=http://www.thedailycougar.com/fiesta-fun-in-full-swing-1.1629919 }}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Frontier Fiesta attained widespread notoriety when the Sigma Chi variety show performance known as "Bella Union" garnered national attention on the cover of [[Life (magazine)|Life]] magazine as "The Greatest College Show on Earth" and soon-after drew crowds numbered in the tens of thousands from all across the country to participate in the festivities.

Cougar First Impressions—a program headed by the UH Staff Council—takes place every year on the first two days of classes, when faculty and staff turn out to welcome new and returning students.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uh.edu/sc/cfi/ |title=Cougar First Impressions |publisher=UH Staff Council |access-date=October 16, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820190641/http://www.uh.edu/sc/cfi/ |archive-date=August 20, 2007}}</ref>

Weeks of Welcome is another program welcoming students to the university. Over the span of two weeks, departments and student organizations help students learn more about the university with a variety of events.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Khan |first1=Nabihah |title=Weeks of Welcome, opening events go virtual for Fall 2020 |url=https://thedailycougar.com/2020/09/08/weeks-of-welcome-opening-events-go-virtual-for-fall-2020/ |website=The Cougar |access-date=27 September 2022 |date=8 September 2020 |url-status=live |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927194035/https://thedailycougar.com/2020/09/08/weeks-of-welcome-opening-events-go-virtual-for-fall-2020/ }}</ref>
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===The Cougar Paw===
[[File:UH CougarPaw.png|thumb|120px|Graphic representation of The Cougar Paw]]
The Cougar Paw is a popular hand sign used by University of Houston students, faculty, alumni, and athletics fans to represent camaraderie and support. The Cougar Paw tradition was adopted through several athletics events between the University of Houston and the University of Texas.

The University of Houston and the University of Texas played their first football game against one another in 1953. Since this was their first meeting, members of [[Alpha Phi Omega]]—the service fraternity in charge of taking care of [[Shasta (mascot)#Shasta I|Shasta I]], the university's mascot—brought her to the game. During the trip, Shasta's front paw was caught in the car door and one toe was cut off. At the game, several Longhorn players saw what had happened and began taunting UH players by holding up their hands with the ring finger bent, suggesting the Cougars were invalids. Texas went on to win this game 28–7. UH students had been using the victory sign as a hand signal up to that time but they began using the bent-finger sign as a reminder that they would remember the taunts.<ref name="Book"/>

The Cougars did not play the Longhorns again until 1968. With UH fans holding up the new sign of Cougar pride, UH played UT to a 20–20 tie. They didn't meet again until 1976, the first year UH was a member of the [[Southwest Conference]]. In front of a record crowd at Texas' Memorial Stadium, UH defeated UT 30–0, a rout that signaled the beginning of the end for legendary Texas coach [[Darrell Royal]]. This solidified the use of the Cougar Paw as a tradition.<ref name="Traditions" />
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==Athletics==
{{main|Houston Cougars}}
[[File:Night_panorama_of_TDECU_Stadium.JPG|thumb|left|[[TDECU Stadium]], home of the [[Houston Cougars football]] team]]
UH's 17-sport intercollegiate program is a member of the [[Big 12 Conference]]. Houston was previously a member of [[Conference USA]], of which it was a member from the time the conference was formed in 1995 until 2013, when they joined the [[American Athletic Conference]]. During that time span, the Cougars won 33 C-USA titles. Prior to 1995, Houston was a member of the [[Southwest Conference]].

After more than 75 years of athletics at UH, other notable achievements include 16 national titles in [[Houston Cougars men's golf|men's golf]], one national title in cross country, seven NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four appearances, and two College World Series appearances. More than 75 Olympic athletes have attended UH, bringing home 41 medals, including 20 gold.<ref name="Points of Pride">{{cite web | url=http://www.uh.edu/about/uh-glance/points-pride/index.php | title=University of Houston: Points of Pride | publisher=University of Houston | access-date=November 18, 2011 | archive-date=November 5, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105073128/http://www.uh.edu/about/uh-glance/points-pride/index.php | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[https://uhcougars.com/news/2024/7/25/2024-summer-olympics Olympics]. The University of Houston. Retrieved 2025-01-07.</ref>

UH has many recreational sport clubs, including [[rugby football|rugby]], [[NCWA]] [[wrestling]], soccer, tennis, [[water polo]], [[kendo]], [[esports]] and gymnastics.

In addition to varsity sports, the University of Houston offers a variety of intramural sports programs.
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===Varsity sports===
[[File:Cougar_Field_with_FieldTurf.jpg|thumb|[[Schroeder Park]], home of the [[Houston Cougars baseball]] team]]
The university has an intercollegiate sports program that competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The NCAA's [[Division I (NCAA)|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 [[Houston Cougars football]] team has made 31 post-season bowl appearances and has to its credit several [[Southwest Conference]] championships and [[Cotton Bowl Classic]] appearances, as well as the 2006 Conference USA Championship<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uhcougars.cstv.com/trads/hou-trads-liberty.html |title=Cougars Bowl Game Trivia |publisher=UH Athletics |access-date=October 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016115224/http://uhcougars.cstv.com/trads/hou-trads-liberty.html |archive-date=October 16, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> and the 2015 American Athletic Conference championship. The 1989 Heisman Trophy winner, [[Andre Ware]], was a Cougar.

The [[Houston Cougars men's basketball|men's basketball]] team has made 26 [[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship|NCAA Tournament]] appearances, with seven trips to the Final Four. See also [[Phi Slama Jama]], the Cougars teams of the early 1980s that featured future [[NBA]] legends [[Clyde Drexler]] and [[Hakeem Olajuwon]].

Houston competes with other notable sports teams, such as the [[Houston Cougars baseball|baseball]] team, which has made 21 NCAA Tournament appearances with two trips to the College World Series; the [[Houston Cougars men's golf|men's golf]] team, which has won 16 NCAA National Championships; the women's soccer team, which was rated as the top first-year women's program in the country in 1998; the swimming and diving teams, which have spawned multiple Olympians and All-Americans; the track and field team, which perennially ranks in the top 10 as an NCAA team; and the volleyball team, which had a streak of ten consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament.
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==Notable people==
{{Main|List of University of Houston people}}
<gallery class="center" mode="nolines" caption="Notable University of Houston alumni include:">
Fred Couples (cropped).jpg|[[Fred Couples]], professional golfer
Clyde_Drexler_01.jpg|[[Clyde Drexler]], [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame|Basketball Hall of Fame]] member
File:Bonnie J. Dunbar.jpg|[[Bonnie J. Dunbar]], former [[NASA]] astronaut
Elvin_Hayes.jpg|[[Elvin Hayes]], 12-time NBA All-Star
LizzoBrixt06Nov19-10_(49216792848)_(cropped).jpg|[[Lizzo]], [[Grammy Award]]-winning singer
Case_Keenum_2018.JPG|[[Case Keenum]], NFL Quarterback
Nigerian_President_Buhari_Stands_With_Secretary_Kerry,_U.S._Delegation_After_They_Attended_His_Inauguration_Ceremony_(cropped).jpg|[[Hakeem Olajuwon]], 1994 [[National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player Award|NBA MVP]]
Jim_Parsons_at_PaleyFest_2013.jpg|[[Jim Parsons]], [[Emmy Award]]-winning actor
Wade_Phillips.jpg|[[Wade Phillips]], [[National Football League|NFL]] Coach
Jack_Valenti_Portrait.jpeg|[[Jack Valenti]], former president of the [[Motion Picture Association]]
File:Elizabeth_Warren,_official_portrait,_114th_Congress.jpg|[[Elizabeth Warren]], U.S. Senator from [[Massachusetts]]
</gallery>

[[Jack Valenti]], long-time president of the Motion Picture Association of America, creator of the MPAA film rating system, and a special assistant in the [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] administration, received his B.B.A. from UH.  Artist and filmmaker [[Julian Schnabel]] is also an alumnus.

[[Alice Sebold]], a novelist known for ''[[Lucky (memoir)|Lucky]]'' and ''[[The Lovely Bones]]'', and [[Matt Mullenweg]], creator of WordPress (the most popular, open-source blogging platform), also attended the university.

Notable athletes within the list include NFL players [[Wilson Whitley]], [[Glenn Montgomery]], [[Alfred Oglesby]], [[Craig Veasey]], [[Donnie Avery]], [[David Klingler]], [[Kevin Kolb]], [[Billy Milner]], [[Sebastian Vollmer]], [[Case Keenum]], and Heisman Trophy winner [[Andre Ware]]; baseball stars [[Doug Drabek]], [[Michael Bourn]], and [[Brad Lincoln]]; golfers [[Fred Couples]], [[Billy Ray Brown]], [[Steve Elkington]], and [[Fuzzy Zoeller]]; track and field legends [[Carl Lewis]] and [[Leroy Burrell]]; NBA basketball players [[Hakeem Olajuwon|Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon]], [[Clyde Drexler|Clyde "The Glide" Drexler]] and [[Elvin Hayes|"The Big E" Elvin Hayes]] as well as [[Bo Outlaw]], [[Don Chaney]], [[Michael Young (basketball, born 1961)|Michael Young]], [[Damon Jones]], [[Carl Herrera]] and [[Otis Birdsong]]; and legendary [[Dallas Cowboys]] coach [[Tom Landry]]. The owner of the [[San Diego Padres]] and noted philanthropist [[John Moores (baseball)|John Moores]] holds both undergraduate and law degrees. [[Wade Phillips]], a former head coach of the [[Denver Broncos]], [[Buffalo Bills]], and Dallas Cowboys, is a UH alumnus as well.

Notable Texas politicians who are graduates of the UH Political Science program include [[Alfred H. Bennett]], U.S. District Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas;<ref>{{cite web |title=Judge Alfred H. Bennett's Biography |url=https://www.txs.uscourts.gov/page/judge-alfred-h-bennetts-biography |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225042424/https://www.txs.uscourts.gov/page/judge-alfred-h-bennetts-biography |archive-date=February 25, 2022 |access-date=2022-02-24 |publisher=U.S. District & Bankruptcy Court-Southern District of Texas}}</ref> [[Carol Alvarado]], Texas State senator for District 6;<ref>{{cite web |title=Texas Directory |url=https://directory.texasscorecard.com/carol-alvarado |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225042412/https://directory.texasscorecard.com/carol-alvarado |archive-date=February 25, 2022 |access-date=2022-02-24 |publisher=Texas Scorecard}}</ref> and [[James White (Texas politician)|James White]],  State Representative Texas House District 19.<ref>{{cite web |title=BallotPedia – James White (Texas) |url=https://ballotpedia.org/James_White_(Texas) |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225042413/https://ballotpedia.org/James_White_(Texas) |archive-date=February 25, 2022 |access-date=2022-02-24 |publisher=BallotPedia}}</ref> Other politicians who attended UH include [[Gene Green]], a retired Democratic U.S. congressman from the state of Texas representing its 29th congressional district, which includes most of eastern Houston, along with large portions of Houston's eastern suburbs; and [[Ted Poe]], a Republican politician formerly representing [[Texas's 2nd congressional district]] in the United States House of Representatives. [[Elizabeth Warren]], a U.S. senator from Massachusetts and formerly a [[University of Houston Law Center]] faculty member received her B.S. from UH in 1970. [[Tom DeLay]], a former member and majority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, who represented Texas's 22nd congressional district from 1984 until 2006, also attended the University of Houston. [[Jasmine Crockett]], [[U.S. representative]] from [[Texas's 30th congressional district]] since January 2023, attended the [[University of Houston Law Center]], graduating in 2006 with a [[Juris Doctor]].

[[Crystle Stewart]], [[Miss USA 2008]] is a former student at the university, last attending in 2007. [[Jason Alkire]], an artist and fashion designer, is a graduate as well.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 25, 2016 |title=Official CFDA Website |url=https://cfda.com/programs/designers/cfda-fashion-incubator/designer/jason-alkire-and-julie-alkire-haus-alkire |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920073456/https://cfda.com/programs/designers/cfda-fashion-incubator/designer/jason-alkire-and-julie-alkire-haus-alkire |archive-date=September 20, 2016 |access-date=September 19, 2016 |publisher=CFDA}}</ref> Other alumni include [[Jim Parsons]], star of the television series ''[[The Big Bang Theory]]'', [[Brent Spiner]] of ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]'', actors [[Robert Wuhl]], [[Loretta Devine]], [[Dennis Quaid]], [[Randy Quaid]], [[Brett Cullen]], comedian [[Bill Hicks]] and attorney and talk show host [[Star Jones]], ''[[Project Runway]]'' contestants [[Chloe Dao]] and [[Laura Bennett]], sportscasters [[Jim Nantz]] and [[Robert Flores]], YouTuber [[Liza Koshy]], South Asian American singer Shahzeb Tejani, singer and rapper [[Lizzo]], and country music stars [[Larry Gatlin]] and [[Kenny Rogers]]. [[Lil Wayne|Dwayne Michael Carter Jr.]], aka Lil Wayne, is a hip-hop artist from New Orleans. He enrolled in 2005 but dropped out shortly after.{{clear}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book |author1=Adair, Wendy |author2=Gutiérrez, Oscar |name-list-style=amp |year=2001 |title=The University of Houston: Our Time: Celebrating 75 Years of Learning and Leading |publisher=The Donning Company Publishers |isbn=1-57864-143-8}}
* {{Cite book | author=Nicholson, Patrick J | year=1977 | title=In Time: An Anecdotal History of the First Fifty Years of the University of Houston | publisher=Pacesetter Press | isbn=0-88415-371-1 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/intimeanecdotalh0000nich }}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://uhcougars.com/ Athletics website]

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