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The largest city in Texas, Houston is also the fourth-largest US city.
The city is home to a wide range of prestigious universities as well, including Rice University, which is considered one of the most selective in Texas and is situated near the Houston Museum District, an association of museums, art galleries and cultural centres.
Houston earned its highest score in the desirability indicator this year, with students praising the diversity and variety of activities on offer.
This year, two of Houston's universities feature in the QS World University Rankings 2023: Rice University and University of Houston. The city has a population of over two million, of which 19 percent are students. Houston earns its highest score in the desirability indicator this year.
To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.
Why study in Houston?
Good job prospects
Home to 24 Fortune 500 Companies, Houston is an international city with plenty of job prospects for graduates.
Plenty of culture
With the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, the H-Town Blues Festival, many theatres, restaurants and bars, there's plenty of culture to explore in Houston.
More affordable than other US cities
Although Houston's university tuition fees are high, it has a lower cost of living than other US cities, such as New York.
A diverse city
Simultaneously laid-back yet energetic, Houston is home to the most diverse community in Texas, with some of the US’s largest Latino, African American and Asian American populations.
Cost of studying in Houston
Although not cheap, Houston’s living costs are typically much lower than those found in larger US cities. This year, Houston ranks 125th in the affordability indicator.
According to Numbeo, a single person living in Houston will need approximately £600 per month for general living expenses, plus an additional £1,015.
Life & culture in Houston
As the home of the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston received the nickname ‘Space City’ in 1967. It’s also home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world, which is at the forefront of advances in health sciences.
Other nicknames for Houston include ‘Bayou City’ and ‘H-Town’, with the latter widely popular and used for entertainment events such as the annual H-Town Blues Festival.
The city’s Chinatown and Mahatma Gandhi District ‘Little India’ showcase Houston’s diversity, and offer a number of eateries and shopping boutiques.
In terms of entertainment, the Houston Theatre District attracts over two million visitors a year and features the Bayou Place entertainment complex, with multiple theatres, bars and restaurants.
While its skyscraper-heavy skyline may make it look like just another concrete jungle, Houston actually has the largest total area of green space among the top 10 most populous US cities, with over 300 parks.
Houston ranks 108th for employer activity this year. The city is home to 24 Fortune 500 Companies and has no state income tax. The energy sector is Houston's leading industry, employing many graduates each year, with nearly one third of the nation's oil and gas extraction jobs based in the city.
Houston also has a large manufacturing industry, employing more than 230,000 people. Of course, Houston's space station is also a major employer: the second largest in the area.
The former Assistant Editor of TopUniversities.com, Sabrina wrote and edited articles to guide students from around the world on a wide range of topics. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Aberystwyth University and grew up in Staffordshire, UK.
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Study in Houston
Sabrina Collier
Updated Aug 14, 2024Save
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Houston for students
The largest city in Texas, Houston is also the fourth-largest US city.
The city is home to a wide range of prestigious universities as well, including Rice University, which is considered one of the most selective in Texas and is situated near the Houston Museum District, an association of museums, art galleries and cultural centres.
Houston earned its highest score in the desirability indicator this year, with students praising the diversity and variety of activities on offer.
Do you currently study in Houston? Share your experience!
Best universities in Houston - QS Best Student Cities ranking: 102nd
More about Houston
This year, two of Houston's universities feature in the QS World University Rankings 2023: Rice University and University of Houston. The city has a population of over two million, of which 19 percent are students. Houston earns its highest score in the desirability indicator this year.
Number of universities ranked by QS
2
Highest-ranked institution
Rice University (100th)
Population
2,343,000
Average international fees (at ranked unis)
US$36,700
Desirability rank
72nd
Employer Activity rank
108th
Affordability rank
125th
Student Mix rank
Student Voice rank
85th
To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.
Why study in Houston?
Good job prospects
Home to 24 Fortune 500 Companies, Houston is an international city with plenty of job prospects for graduates.
Plenty of culture
With the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, the H-Town Blues Festival, many theatres, restaurants and bars, there's plenty of culture to explore in Houston.
More affordable than other US cities
Although Houston's university tuition fees are high, it has a lower cost of living than other US cities, such as New York.
A diverse city
Simultaneously laid-back yet energetic, Houston is home to the most diverse community in Texas, with some of the US’s largest Latino, African American and Asian American populations.
Cost of studying in Houston
Although not cheap, Houston’s living costs are typically much lower than those found in larger US cities. This year, Houston ranks 125th in the affordability indicator.
According to Numbeo, a single person living in Houston will need approximately £600 per month for general living expenses, plus an additional £1,015.
Life & culture in Houston
As the home of the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston received the nickname ‘Space City’ in 1967. It’s also home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world, which is at the forefront of advances in health sciences.
Other nicknames for Houston include ‘Bayou City’ and ‘H-Town’, with the latter widely popular and used for entertainment events such as the annual H-Town Blues Festival.
The city’s Chinatown and Mahatma Gandhi District ‘Little India’ showcase Houston’s diversity, and offer a number of eateries and shopping boutiques.
In terms of entertainment, the Houston Theatre District attracts over two million visitors a year and features the Bayou Place entertainment complex, with multiple theatres, bars and restaurants.
While its skyscraper-heavy skyline may make it look like just another concrete jungle, Houston actually has the largest total area of green space among the top 10 most populous US cities, with over 300 parks.
Testimonials
Careers in Houston
Houston ranks 108th for employer activity this year. The city is home to 24 Fortune 500 Companies and has no state income tax. The energy sector is Houston's leading industry, employing many graduates each year, with nearly one third of the nation's oil and gas extraction jobs based in the city.
Houston also has a large manufacturing industry, employing more than 230,000 people. Of course, Houston's space station is also a major employer: the second largest in the area.
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The former Assistant Editor of TopUniversities.com, Sabrina wrote and edited articles to guide students from around the world on a wide range of topics. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Aberystwyth University and grew up in Staffordshire, UK.
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