The University of Houston-Downtown

Celebrating its 50 ^th anniversary in 2024, the University of Houston-Downtown is a robust university in the country's fourth-largest city with approximately 14,000 students and more than 67,000 alumni. The modern campus is located on the northern edge of Houston's central business district at the confluence of Buffalo and White Oak bayous. Founded in 1974, UHD is the second largest, four-year university in Houston and is recognized nationally as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, Minority-Serving Institution and Military-Friendly School.

Led by President Loren J. Blanchard, Ph.D., the University of Houston-Downtown is one of four distinct universities in the University of Houston System. Its non-residential campus attracts students from throughout Greater Houston. Its location in Downtown Houston provides opportunities for internships at major corporations, involvement with community organizations, and access to resources including museums, art galleries and professional sport venues.

UHD students pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees in four colleges: the Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service and College of Sciences and Technology. More than 3,000 students graduate from UHD each year. Students at UHD enjoy outstanding faculty, small classes, and undergraduate research opportunities. The National Science Foundation has recognized UHD’s Scholars Academy, an active learning community for students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

With one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas, UHD offers flexibility in scheduling classes including daytime, evening and weekend options. Students also can choose from face-to-face and online classes as well as hybrid classes that blend the two instruction options. The university also offers classes at UHD Northwest located at Lone Star College-University Park in Northwest Houston and Lone Star College campuses in Cypress and Kingwood. UHD strives to be responsive to student needs. To that end, the university offers seamless transfer processes as well as dual enrollments program with its community college partners.

U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions:  No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience.

Undergraduate Education

Students come to UHD from a variety of backgrounds. Many work full- or part-time while pursuing their degrees, and many are the first in their families to attend college. In addition, a significant number of UHD students transfer from community colleges or other higher education institutions. UHD offers baccalaureate degrees in 45 disciplines, including signature programs in accounting, finance, insurance and risk management, criminal justice, psychology, social work, safety management, interdisciplinary studies (general education and teaching), and fine arts. Recently, UHD introduced a Bachelor of Science in Data Science — the first of its kind in Texas.

Graduate Education and Research

UHD offers 12 master’s degree programs. The majority of UHD’s graduate students are working professionals who pursue studies on a part-time basis.

Since its founding, UHD has sought to offer degrees that meet the needs of the marketplace. For example, two new programs in Business Intelligence at the Marilyn Davies College of Business, are being developed for fall 2024 with just those needs in mind: a Business Intelligence concentration in the MBA and a graduate certificate in Business Intelligence, pending SACSCOC approval.

The Marilyn Davies College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. TheStockWatcher.com called UHD a “notable institution providing high-quality online MBA programs. … UHD ensures that its graduates are well-prepared to succeed in their chosen career paths.”

Most recently, UHD’s new Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence program was named a “Top Pick for the Very Best Master’s and Graduate Certificate Programs in Artificial Intelligence” by AI Degree Guide.

UHD Northwest

Located on the grounds of Lone Star College-University Park, UHD Northwest offers 18 undergraduate and one graduate degree program. UHD Northwest serves the Cypress, Tomball, Spring/Klein, Katy, Waller and The Woodlands regions.

Fact Sheet

Established:

1974

President:

Loren James Blanchard

Enrollment:

15,077

Faculty:

766

Staff:

636

Alumni:

62,000+

Degree Programs:

45 (Undergraduate)
  9 (Graduate)

Annual Degrees Awarded:

3,498

Graduate Certificates:

366

Budget:

$ 155 million (FY 2021)

Tuition & Fees:

$8,889 per year (undergraduate resident-average, 30 semester credit hours per academic year).

Research Expenditures:

$1.828 million (FY 2021)

Library:

More than 209,567 physical volumes, over 631,370 e-books/e-media volumes, and 77,600 subscriptions (print and electronic)

Current Replacement Value:

$1.304 billion

Enrollment by Level

 

Enrollment by Ethnicity

 

Enrollment by Geographic Source