UH System Board of Regents Approve 2012-2013 Tuition Rates

No Undergrad Increase at UH, UH-Clear Lake; More Resources Approved for UH-Downtown, UH-Victoria

During a special meeting, the UH System (UHS) Board of Regents voted to keep undergraduate tuition at the University of Houston (UH) and the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) at their current rates for the 2012 – 2013 academic year.

The move came at the recommendation of UHS Chancellor Renu Khator and on the heels of recent reports affirming UH’s status as a “best value” university (Princeton Review) and No. 12 ranking in the nation for graduating students with the least amount of debt (U.S. News & World Report).

“This is just one element of our comprehensive strategy for student success,” said Khator. “We are focused on helping students complete college at all of our system universities. Keeping tuition steady at our flagship university and UH-Clear Lake will provide economic relief.”

At the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) and the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV), the two most affordable UHS universities, the administration requested more resources to increase student success initiatives and support services that enhance graduation rates, including mentoring, tutoring and advising support.

The board approved the following increases for UHD and UHV. Rates are based on a 15-hour course load for in-state undergraduate students:

  • UHD: 3.9 percent– an average increase of $114 per semester
  • UHV: 1.9 percent – an average increase of $57 per semester


At both UHD and UHV, 20 percent of the increase will be set aside for scholarships and financial aid. At UHD, the remaining funds will support new and expanded student success initiatives designed to increase graduation rates, such as supplemental instruction and early intervention for students academically struggling. At UHV, the request for more resources is enrollment driven. It will be used to expand instruction and increase student support services for the growing number of students. Despite the increase, tuition at UHD and UHV will remain well below the state average. 

UHV also announced this month that beginning in the fall, freshmen and sophomores whose families have an annual income of $50,000 or less can expect to have all of their tuition and fees covered by federal, state and/or university aid. Those whose families have annual incomes from $50,001 to $90,000 will have 50 percent of their tuition and fees covered, and those with family incomes of more than $90,000 will receive up to a $1,000 UHV scholarship.

The rates below reflect the approved 2012-2013 tuition rates for UHS students taking 15 credit hours.

  • University of Houston – $4,844
  • UH-Clear Lake - $3,222
  • UH-Downtown - $2,992
  • UH-Victoria - $2,971


Graduate school tuition rates may increase for UHS students, depending on the university and the degree being pursued. Tuition will not be increased on any doctoral programs. A full breakdown of undergraduate and graduate tuition and fee rates can be found here.

Beginning this fall, the University of Houston will transition to a tuition and fee structure that will simplify billing and help parents and students budget each semester. The consolidated billing structure was approved by the regents in February. Starting this fall, first-time-in-college freshmen (FTIC) will pay a tuition and fee rate of $280 per credit hour, regardless of major, for 12 months, and upper classmen will pay rates that are based on majors. Students also will receive more streamlined, easier-to-read bills.

“The idea behind this move is that our tuition and fee bills should be clearer,” Khator said. “Students have been asking for predictability when it comes to costs. This move will assist them as they budget and plan their semesters.”

Based on the new tuition and fee consolidation, upper classmen will pay one of three rates that are based on majors. These rates are for resident students at the University of Houston campus.

The consolidated rates are:

  • Group 1 - $280 (tuition and fee rate per credit hour)
    • College of Education
    • College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) - liberal arts
  • Group 2 - $300 (tuition and fee rate per credit hour)
    • Honors College
    • CLASS – fine and performing arts
    • Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management
    • College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
    • College of Pharmacy
  • Group 3 - $325 (tuition and fee rate per credit hour)
    • Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture
    • C.T. Bauer College of Business
    • Cullen College of Engineering
    • College of Technology 


After exploring several options, the board also approved plans to build a new football stadium at the same location where Robertson Stadium currently sits. The $105 million project will break ground immediately following the 2012 football season.