Founded in 1974, the University of Houston-Downtown is a robust university in the country's fourth-largest city with nearly 14,000 students and more than 73,000 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.

The University of Houston-Downtown is one of three 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.

U.S. News & World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, No. 12 in Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice Programs for Veterans, No. 21 in Best Online Bachelor's in Business Programs (tie), and a Top Performer in Social Mobility. In 2025, Washington Monthly ranked UHD No. 7 in the South for “Best Bang for the Buck Colleges” and No. 24 out of 585 for master’s programs for “Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars.”

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, UHD offers seamless transfer processes as well as a dual enrollments program with its community college partners. UHD and Houston Independent School District recently entered into an agreement in which UHD guarantees college admission to every eligible HISD senior through its groundbreaking Guaranteed Admission Program, the first of its kind for HISD and UHD.

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 47 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 with those needs in mind are a business intelligence concentration in the MBA and a graduate certificate in business intelligence.

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.”

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 programs and one graduate degree program. UHD Northwest serves the Cypress, Tomball, Spring/Klein, Katy, Waller and The Woodlands regions.