


The Houston Cougars compete in NCAA Division I athletics as members of the Big 12 Conference. Varsity programs include football, men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, golf, swimming and diving, and track and field or cross-country events.
Varsity competition is only one way to participate in sports. Campus Recreation offers fitness activities and opportunities such as intramural leagues and sport clubs, which have different participation and eligibility rules from NCAA teams. A sport appearing in a campus recreation listing should not be mistaken for a varsity scholarship program. Students interested in a particular club or intramural season should check its current registration and facility schedule.
UH has student organizations spanning service, professional interests, culture, faith, and the arts. They offer ways to meet peers outside class without requiring participation in varsity sports or residential life.
Examples in campus organization listings include the Metropolitan Volunteer Program, Student Program Board, Muslim Student Association, Filipino Student Association, and American Medical Student Association. Student government, fraternities and sororities, and academic clubs provide other avenues for involvement. Organization status, leadership, and meeting times can change from semester to semester, so the current recognized-organization directory and activity fairs are better guides than an older list.
UH enrolls approximately 47,980 students, making it a large university with both first-year and substantial transfer entry. Reported entering groups include 6,218 first-time degree-seeking undergraduates and 4,584 transfer-in degree-seeking undergraduates.
Most students are from Texas: the reported geographic breakdown places 93% in-state, compared with 3% from other U.S. states and 4% from other countries. Students aged 18-24 form the largest age group, while thousands are 25 or older. Reported enrollment also includes substantial Hispanic or Latino, Asian, Black, and White student populations. These figures describe who enrolls, not any individual student's experience or the composition of a particular class. At a reported student-to-faculty ratio of 23 to 1, class size may still vary considerably by course level and subject.
Daily life at UH reflects both an urban commuter university and a residential campus. About 16% of students reportedly live on campus, so students who leave after class and students who remain for evening activities may experience different rhythms.
The Student Center and recreation facilities provide places to gather between classes. Orientation and first-year programming can help new students navigate advising and campus services; health services and counseling offer support beyond academics. Students interested in journalism, broadcasting, or performance can look for the student newspaper, radio and television activities, theater, choirs, and marching band. For commuters in particular, scheduling an activity or study session around travel can make campus involvement more practical.
MD Anderson Library is UH's main academic library. It provides study space and access to research materials, while specialized campus libraries support work in particular professional and academic fields.
Students can use library databases and online journals for coursework and research, seek help from librarians, and request material beyond the local collection through borrowing services. Reported amenities include reservable study rooms and extended-hours study areas, though exact hours can change during breaks or exams. Students planning late-night work should check the current building and service schedules: access to a study area does not mean every library desk or collection is staffed around the clock.
Total enrollment
47980Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
6203Member of Athletic Associations
NCAATotal staff
1654 full time, 919 part timeVeterans affair office
YesVarsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).
Sport
Archery
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Bowling
Cross-country running
Fencing
Football
Golf
Gymnastics
Ice hockey
Lacrosse
Racquetball
Rock climbing
Rugby
Sand volleyball
Soccer
Softball
Swimming and diving
Table tennis
Tennis
Track and field
Triathlon
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Water polo
Weight lifting
Wrestling
Data last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.