What SAT score do you need for Houston? (Middle 50%: 1140–1310)
First-year students at Houston who sent an SAT scored 1140–1310, with a median of 1220 (Common Data Set 2025–26). Houston admits 74% of applicants.
Where your score lands at Houston
First-year students who sent an SAT: 1140–1310, median 1220
Middle 50% of admitted students Median
Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier Houston is for you and whether to send your score.
Houston by the numbers
- Admit rate
- 74%
- Middle 50% SAT
- 1140–1310
- Median SAT
- 1220
- About on the ACT
- 23–28
- Sent an SAT
- 55%
Test policy not confirmed for 2026–27 · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2025–26; admit rate from it or IPEDS
Houston admit rate over 10 years
Applications rose 76%, from 17,971 in 2015 to 31,716 in 2024, and Houston's admit rate went from 60% to 74%.
- 60%
- 74%
Show the numbers
| Fall | Applied | Admitted | Admit rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 31,716 | 23,446 | 74% |
| 2023 | 30,327 | 21,087 | 70% |
| 2022 | 29,783 | 19,728 | 66% |
| 2021 | 29,721 | 19,474 | 66% |
| 2020 | 28,645 | 17,986 | 63% |
| 2019 | 25,393 | 16,500 | 65% |
| 2018 | 22,461 | 14,002 | 62% |
| 2017 | 20,768 | 12,691 | 61% |
| 2016 | 19,860 | 11,627 | 59% |
| 2015 | 17,971 | 10,732 | 60% |
In fall 2024, 6,218 of the 23,446 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.
What each SAT score means at Houston
Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.
- Under 1090Far reachHold
- 1090–1130ReachHold
- 1140–1210TargetHold
- 1220–1300TargetSend
- 1310 and upLikelySend
Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges. *Send it? assumes they're test optional; we haven't confirmed their policy.
Houston SAT sections, ACT, GPA and class rank
Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.
| Test | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 560 | 610 | 660 |
| SAT Reading and Writing | 570 | 610 | 660 |
| SAT total | 1140 | 1220 | 1310 |
| ACT composite | 22 | 25 | 28 |
Of enrolled first-year students, 55% sent an SAT and 7% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2025–26.
- Average high school GPA
- 3.46
- 98% of new students reported one
- Top 10% of their class
- 25%
- of new students who reported a rank
Houston cost and outcomes
What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.
- Average net price
- $14,276
- per year, after grants
- Graduate in 6 years
- 65%
- Median earnings
- $62,377
- 10 years after starting
- Undergraduates
- 43,360
College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.
Colleges like Houston
Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.
- Taylor UniversityUpland, IN · 74% admitted1070–1320, median 1210
- Wittenberg UniversitySpringfield, OH · 72% admitted1078–1273, median 1210
- University of Rhode IslandKingston, RI · 72% admitted1090–1310, median 1210
- AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL · 77% admitted1100–1360, median 1210
- OklahomaNorman, OK · 77% admitted1160–1310, median 1232.43
- DeSales UniversityCenter Valley, PA · 77% admitted1120–1300, median 1210
More colleges in Texas
Sources
- Houston Common Data Set 2025–26
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
- College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
- College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
- Houston website
University of Houston
Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.
Questions
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