61 Best Colleges in Houston

A definitive 2026 intelligence report on higher education in Houston, covering tuition transparency, career outcomes, and academic excellence.

Local Institutions 61
Market Avg Salary $43.0k
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City DNA: Educational Specialization

🔬

STEM & Innovation

Technical and scientific excellence programs across local campuses.

29% 15 Programs
💼

Business & Law

Strategic leadership and management concentrations in Houston.

27% 14 Programs
🩺

Health & Medicine

Vital healthcare and medical training opportunities locally.

53% 27 Programs

Outcome Matrix: Career Momentum

Market Yield Report

Median earnings for Houston graduates reach $42,966 within 10 years.

Success Rate 46%
Sample Size 61 Inst.
💰

Investment Matrix

Tuition levels range from $1,992 to $58,128.

Detailed economic breakdown of in-state versus private institutional costs across the city.

View Lowest Tuition
Private for-profit
Verified DOE Data

Pima Medical Institute-Houston

Houston, TX
United States

Annual Tuition

$21,060

Early Salary

$38,673

🎯

Acceptance Matrix

Open Admissions

verified audit
Private for-profit
Verified DOE Data

Chamberlain University-Texas

Houston, TX
United States

Annual Tuition

$19,686

Early Salary

$92,405

🎯

Acceptance Matrix

95.7%

verified audit
Private for-profit
Verified DOE Data

Houston Training Schools-Gessner

Houston, TX
United States

Annual Tuition

$7,354

Early Salary

$18,991

🎯

Acceptance Matrix

Open Admissions

verified audit
Private nonprofit
Verified DOE Data

The Vocational Nursing Institute Inc

Houston, TX
United States

Annual Tuition

$57,042

Early Salary

TBD

🎯

Acceptance Matrix

100%

verified audit
Private for-profit
Verified DOE Data

Tulsa Welding School-Houston

Houston, TX
United States

Annual Tuition

$32,907

Early Salary

$41,067

🎯

Acceptance Matrix

Open Admissions

verified audit
Private for-profit
Verified DOE Data

Florida Career College-Houston

Houston, TX
United States

Annual Tuition

$33,884

Early Salary

$28,928

🎯

Acceptance Matrix

Open Admissions

verified audit
Private nonprofit
Verified DOE Data

Mystros Barber Academy

Houston, TX
United States

Annual Tuition

TBD

Early Salary

TBD

🎯

Acceptance Matrix

Open Admissions

verified audit
Private for-profit
Verified DOE Data

Vogue International Academy

Houston, TX
United States

Annual Tuition

$19,160

Early Salary

TBD

🎯

Acceptance Matrix

Open Admissions

verified audit
Private for-profit
Verified DOE Data

Houston Barber School

Houston, TX
United States

Annual Tuition

$14,760

Early Salary

TBD

🎯

Acceptance Matrix

Open Admissions

verified audit
Private for-profit
Verified DOE Data

Elite Welding Academy

Houston, TX
United States

Annual Tuition

$21,504

Early Salary

$53,375

🎯

Acceptance Matrix

Open Admissions

verified audit
Private for-profit
Verified DOE Data

Annual Tuition

$21,416

Early Salary

$31,488

🎯

Acceptance Matrix

Open Admissions

verified audit
Private for-profit
Verified DOE Data

Premier Barber School

Houston, TX
United States

Annual Tuition

$19,562

Early Salary

TBD

🎯

Acceptance Matrix

Open Admissions

verified audit
Private for-profit
Verified DOE Data

Galen Health Institutes-Houston

Houston, TX
United States

Annual Tuition

$16,400

Early Salary

$61,480

🎯

Acceptance Matrix

Open Admissions

verified audit
Private for-profit
Verified DOE Data

Denver College of Nursing-Houston

Houston, TX
United States

Annual Tuition

TBD

Early Salary

$81,809

🎯

Acceptance Matrix

Open Admissions

verified audit
Public
Verified DOE Data

San Jacinto College-North Campus

Houston, TX
United States

Annual Tuition

$1,992

Early Salary

$43,062

🎯

Acceptance Matrix

Open Admissions

verified audit
Public
Verified DOE Data

San Jacinto College-South Campus

Houston, TX
United States

Annual Tuition

$1,992

Early Salary

$43,062

🎯

Acceptance Matrix

Open Admissions

verified audit
Public
Verified DOE Data

Annual Tuition

$1,992

Early Salary

$43,062

🎯

Acceptance Matrix

Open Admissions

verified audit
Private for-profit
Verified DOE Data

Annual Tuition

TBD

Early Salary

$21,262

🎯

Acceptance Matrix

Open Admissions

verified audit
Private for-profit
Verified DOE Data

Strayer University-Northwest Houston

Houston, TX
United States

Annual Tuition

$13,920

Early Salary

$40,092

🎯

Acceptance Matrix

Open Admissions

verified audit
Private for-profit
Verified DOE Data

Annual Tuition

$13,920

Early Salary

$40,092

🎯

Acceptance Matrix

Open Admissions

verified audit
🎓

Choosing a College in Houston

01
Academic Diversity

Houston offers a remarkable range of educational pathways. The city is home to University of St Thomas, Baylor College of Medicine, Vet Tech Institute of Houston and other specialized institutions. From large-scale research universities to specialized technical colleges, students in Houston can find programs tailored to virtually any career path.

02
Financial Outlook & ROI

The financial return on investment for Houston graduates is notably strong. Institutions like Chamberlain University-Texas lead the way with median starting salaries reaching as high as $92,405. Combined with competitive local tuition rates, pursuing a degree here represents a strategic long-term investment in your professional future.

03. Expanding Your Search

While Houston has an incredible local selection, students often find additional value by exploring nearby educational hubs. We recommend also researching colleges in College Station, Beeville, Kilgore to broaden your options and find the perfect institutional fit within the Texas landscape.

Choosing a College in Houston, TX

Selecting a college in Houston provides a unique blend of local community and academic excellence. Currently, there are 61 institutions within or near the city limits of Houston, Texas. This local directory is designed to help you navigate these options by providing a clear overview of what each school offers.

Educational opportunities in Houston cater to a variety of student needs, from community colleges offering associate degrees to specialized vocational schools and comprehensive universities. By focusing your search on the Houston area, you can find institutions that offer the specific programs and campus culture you desire while staying connected to the vibrant atmosphere of Texas.

Our data for Houston, TX colleges includes critical information such as average SAT/ACT scores for admissions, the net price after financial aid, and the expected median salary for graduates. We encourage you to use our comparison tools to evaluate how these schools stack up against each other and institutions across the rest of Texas.