Academic Index Last updated: June 12, 2026

16 Best Universities in Houston, TX

Our data-driven ranking evaluates 16 elite institutions across Houston, TX to determine true academic prominence. By assessing 623K research papers and their 23.19M citations, we reveal the most impactful research centers. With a collective network of 81.9K distinguished alumni, these universities demonstrate significant global reach and career outcomes.

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1

Rice University

#80 in United States #92 in North America

8% Acceptance

4,789 Enrollment

1540 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

2

University of Houston

#93 in United States #106 in North America

74% Acceptance

39,257 Enrollment

1250 Avg SAT

1927 Founded

3

University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

#96 in United States #109 in North America

74% Acceptance

2,549 Enrollment

1245 Avg SAT

1941 Founded

4

Baylor College of Medicine

#104 in United States #119 in North America

9% Acceptance

3,241 Enrollment

1330 Avg SAT

1900 Founded

5

University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

#133 in United States #154 in North America

76% Acceptance

2,986 Enrollment

1460 Avg SAT

1972 Founded

6

Texas Southern University

#493 in United States #542 in North America

97% Acceptance

6,844 Enrollment

900 Avg SAT

1927 Founded

7

University of Houston – Clear Lake

#556 in United States #611 in North America

91% Acceptance

2,403 Enrollment

1060 Avg SAT

1974 Founded

8

University of Houston – Downtown

#721 in United States #788 in North America

90% Acceptance

2,403 Enrollment

1025 Avg SAT

1974 Founded

9

University of St Thomas – Texas

#970 in United States #1042 in North America

90% Acceptance

3,586 Enrollment

1095 Avg SAT

1947 Founded

10

Houston Baptist University

#1056 in United States #1130 in North America

84% Acceptance

2,899 Enrollment

1090 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

11

South Texas College of Law Houston

#1059 in United States #1133 in North America

60% Acceptance

843 Enrollment

1165 Avg SAT

1923 Founded

12

College of Biblical Studies – Houston

#1983 in United States #2076 in North America

100% Acceptance

419 Enrollment

1979 Founded

$672 Net Price

13

Houston Graduate School of Theology

#1999 in United States #2092 in North America

100% Acceptance

14

College of Health Care Professions – Northwest

#2106 in United States #2203 in North America

100% Acceptance

4,530 Enrollment

$27,774 Net Price

15

American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Med

#2148 in United States #2247 in North America

95% Acceptance

16

Center for Advanced Legal Studies

#2297 in United States #2398 in North America

100% Acceptance

271 Enrollment

$12,257 Net Price