Federal
Federal Pell Grant
Up to $7,395 a year (2026–27)
Who qualifies: undergraduates with financial need, based on the FAFSA. It never has to be repaid.
How: file the FAFSA.
Official rules →Paying for college · Houston, TX
How students pay for the University of Houston
Sticker price $23,250 a year. After grants, the average student pays $11,439, and what you pay depends on your family's income: anywhere from $8,468 to $21,065.
- 74%admitted
- 38,380undergraduates
- 66%graduate
- 56%get a grant from the school
What it costs, by family income
Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, paying in-state tuition. Tap your bracket.
Out-of-state tuition is $22,427 a year versus $9,717 for Texas residents, so non-residents usually pay far more than these figures.
Where the money comes from
Share of first-year students receiving each type of aid, and the average amount.
56%grant from University of Houstonavg $5,252
45%Federal Pell Grantavg $5,737
37%state grantavg $7,643
35%federal student loanavg $4,971
Grants and scholarships you can apply for
State grant · Texas
TEXAS Grant
Set each year by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; your school's aid office shows the current amount
Who qualifies: Texas residents with financial need who enrol at a Texas public university within 16 months of graduating high school (or 12 months of an associate degree).
How: File the FAFSA or TASFA. Priority deadline: 15 January.
Official rules →From the school
University of Houston grants and scholarships
56% of first-years get one · average $5,252
Most need-based aid comes automatically with your FAFSA. Merit and departmental scholarships often have their own deadlines.
University of Houston financial aid office →State grants follow your home state, not the school's: check your own state's programs if you are coming from elsewhere.
Living in Houston
| Studio | $1,210/mo |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom | $1,240/mo |
| Two-bedroom, shared | $735/mo each |
HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents, campus ZIP 77204. Campus housing is often cheaper in the first year.
Working while you study
$7.25/hour minimum wage in Texas
15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year ≈ $3,262 before tax. That covers about 4 months of a shared room.
Minimum wage: Texas follows the federal minimum wage. Ask the financial aid office whether you qualify for Federal Work-Study.
After graduation
$17,250median federal debt≈ $196/month over 10 years
$68,423median earnings10 years after enrolling
66%graduate within 6 yearsfirst-time students
Close the gap without another loan
Since July 2026 Parent PLUS loans are capped, so more families are left with a gap after aid. Students use My Study Fund to collect monthly support from family, friends and mentors: 20 people giving $25 a month is $6,000 a year, and you receive every dollar.
Questions students ask about paying for University of Houston
How much does University of Houston really cost after financial aid?
The average student who received aid paid $11,439 a year after grants and scholarships. By family income it ranges from $8,468 to $21,065. The full cost of attendance before aid is $23,250.
Does University of Houston give scholarships and grants?
Yes. 56% of first-year students received a grant from University of Houston itself, averaging $5,252. 45% received a Federal Pell Grant (average $5,737).
How much is rent near University of Houston?
HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for the campus ZIP code (77204) is $1,240 a month for a one-bedroom and $1,470 for a two-bedroom, about $735 each when shared.
Can I work part-time while studying at University of Houston?
Yes. The minimum wage in Texas is $7.25 an hour; 15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year earns about $3,262 before tax.
How much debt do University of Houston graduates have?
The median federal debt at graduation is $17,250, about $196 a month on a 10-year plan. Median earnings ten years after enrolling are $68,423.
Sources
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 10152026) and IPEDS (SFA2223 student financial aid, first-time full-time students); HUD FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents; state and federal program pages linked above, checked 2026-10-28. My Study Fund is not affiliated with University of Houston. How these pages work.
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