The University of Houston is steadfast in its commitment to providing a safe environment for everyone to learn and to work.
The Clery Act of 1990 (a federal law) requires all universities and colleges to disclose information about crime and safety on and around campuses. This federal database presents a good source for comparing university performance across our state and the nation. A comparison of the University of Houston and its peer group of institutions is presented at the end of this document in two tables, one with flagship public universities in Texas, and the other with universities in close proximity to the University of Houston.
Overall, Texas flagship universities have violent crimes rates that are below the state and national violent crime rates according to FBI data. Year over year, the University of Houston’s violent crime rates remain lower than its state and local peers.
Key Takeaways
- UH Has the Lowest Total Violent Crime Rate Among Flagship Public Universities in Texas
(Texas A&M, Texas State, Texas Tech, UH, University of North Texas, UT Austin)- In 2023, UH reported 7.3 total violent crimes per 10,000 students, the lowest rate among Texas flagship universities with approximately 40,000 students or more.
- The average total violent crime rate for peer institutions was 14.3 per 10,000 students, meaning UH’s rate was about 50% lower than its flagship university group.
- UH Has the Lowest Total Violent Crime Rate Among Universities in Close Proximity
(UH, Rice, Texas Southern University)- The total average violent crime rate for universities in close proximity to UH is 14.4 per 10,000 students.
- UH’s total violent crime rate was 50% lower than universities in close proximity to UH.
- UH’s Crime Rate Is Significantly Lower Than the City of Houston’s
- According to 2023 FBI data, UH’s rate of violent crimes is 1/15 of the city of Houston’s rate. It is also significantly lower than total violent crime rates for Texas and the United States.
- According to 2023 FBI data, UH’s rate of violent crimes is 1/15 of the city of Houston’s rate. It is also significantly lower than total violent crime rates for Texas and the United States.
- UH Has a Comprehensive 24/7 Safety & Security Network
- UH Police Department
- More than 235 police and security personnel serve the UH community.
- 24/7 UHPD Patrols & 3,300+ Security Cameras: Real-time video monitoring helps detect and respond to incidents quickly.
- Multiple Emergency Contact Options: Students can contact campus police via 911, the UH Go app, 240 Blue Light Phones, security towers, and direct call/text lines.
- UH Police Department is accredited by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA). Fewer than 100 agencies have earned this distinctive recognition.
- UHPD provides more than 5,500 safety escorts annually.
- UHPD security escorts are available 24/7 with an average wait time of 7 minutes.
- Cougar Ride (On-Demand Night Transportation)
- Designed for students traveling on campus after dark.
- Average wait time: 7 minutes (Spring 2025).
- Nearly 2,700 trips served over 3,000 riders last semester.
- Requests can be made through the UH Go app.
- Restricted Access to UH Residence Halls
- All residential buildings require key or card access 24/7.
- Residential housing perimeter doors are accessible from the outside by card access only.
- Room access is either key or card access.
- UH Police Department
- UH Continues to Invest in Campus Safety | 2025 Updates
- Increased police & security presence with additional personnel and monitoring vehicles.
- Accelerated $18 million campus lighting installation set for completion by the end of 2025.
- Established a new Presidential Task Force on Campus Safety with faculty, staff, and student representation.
- Initiated independent safety review by an external consulting firm to assess and enhance existing practices.
Note: Comparative tables are on the next page.
2023 Campus Violent Crime Statistics
Texas Flagship Public Universities
Comparison: University of Houston, other flagship public universities in Texas.
| Murder/ Manslaughter (Negligent / Non-Negligent) | Forcible Sex/ Rape | Fondling | Incest | Statutory Rape | Robbery | Aggravated Assault | Total Violent Crimes & Rates | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Houston Enrollment: 46,543 |
0 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 14 | 34 |
| Crime Rate/ 10,000 | 0.0 | 3.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 7.3 |
| UT Austin Enrollment: 52,536 |
0 | 14 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 15 | 62 |
| Crime Rate/ 10,000 | 0.0 | 2.7 | 4.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.7 | 2.9 | 11.9 |
| Texas A&M Enrollment: 68,341 |
0 | 56 | 31 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 28 | 122 |
| Crime Rate/ 10,000 | 0.0 | 8.2 | 4.5 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 4.1 | 17.9 |
| Texas Tech Enrollment: 39,918 |
0 | 26 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 56 |
| Crime Rate/ 10,000 | 0.0 | 6.5 | 4.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 14.0 |
| U. North Texas Enrollment: 45,537 |
0 | 24 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 51 |
| Crime Rate/ 10,000 | 0.0 | 5.3 | 5.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 11.2 |
| Texas State Enrollment: 38,447 |
0 | 29 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 46 | 90 |
| Crime Rate/ 10,000 | 0.0 | 7.5 | 3.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 12.0 | 23.4 |
| Cohort Total Enrollment: 291,022 |
0 | 164 | 109 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 119 | 415 |
| Cohort Avg. Crime Rate/ 10,000 |
0.0 | 5.6 | 3.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 4.1 | 14.3 |
Source: 2024 Clery Act Annual Fire and Safety Reports as of 2/28/25
Enrollment Source: The Higher Education Coordinating Board Certified Enrollment average between Fall 2022 and Fall 2023
Universities Near UH
Comparison: University of Houston and universities near UH.
| Murder/ Manslaughter (Negligent / Non-Negligent) |
Forcible Sex/Rape | Fondling | Incest | Statutory Rape | Robbery | Aggravated Assault | Total Violent Crimes & Rates | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Houston Enrollment: 46,543 |
0 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 14 | 34 |
| Crime Rate/ 10,000 | 0.0 | 3.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 7.3 |
| Rice Enrollment: 8,614 |
0 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21 |
| Crime Rate/ 10,000 | 0.0 | 15.1 | 8.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 24.4 |
| Texas Southern* Enrollment: 8,551 |
3 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 13 | 37 |
| Crime Rate/ 10,000 | 3.5 | 15.2 | 4.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4.7 | 15.2 | 43.3 |
| Cohort Total Enrollment: 63,708 |
3 | 41 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 27 | 92 |
| Cohort Avg. Crime Rate/ 10,000 |
0.5 | 6.4 | 1.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.4 | 4.2 | 14.4 |
Source: 2024 Clery Act Annual Fire and Safety Reports as of 2/28/25
*TSU Source: 2023 Clery Act Annual Fire and Safety Report (2024 unavailable)
Enrollment Source: The Higher Education Coordinating Board Certified Enrollment average between Fall 2022 and Fall 2023