Academic Programs & Learning

University of Houston

What About Academic Quality?

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

21:1

Average students per faculty member

👨‍🏫

Full-Time Retention

86%

Students continuing to second year

📈

Part-Time Retention

73%

Part-time students continuing

📊

Understanding Academic Quality Metrics

Student-Faculty Ratio: A ratio of 21:1 means there are approximately 21 students for every faculty member. This higher ratio may mean larger class sizes but can also indicate efficient resource utilization.

Retention Rates: These show the percentage of students who return for their second year. Higher retention rates typically indicate student satisfaction, academic support, and program quality.

Graduation Rate Survey Cohort: 51% of entering students are tracked for graduation outcomes.

Who Teaches Here?

Total Teaching Staff
1,590
Instructional faculty
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
21:1
Students per instructor
Faculty Diversity
40%
Underrepresented minorities

Tenure Status

Tenured (20%) Non-Tenure (0%) Other

Academic Ranks

Instructors & Lecturers79
Other Instructional Staff1511

Understanding Faculty Composition

University of Houston employs 1590 instructional staff members. About 20% hold tenured positions. The mix of ranked faculty and instructors supports diverse learning experiences.

Where Do Online Students Come From?

Geographic distribution of students enrolled exclusively in online courses (Fall 2023 census)

Undergraduate (37,946 enrolled)
4,020
exclusively online (10.6%)
Same state 3,903 (97.1%)
Other US states 83 (2.1%)
Outside US 33 (0.8%)
Graduate (8,730 enrolled)
1,310
exclusively online (15%)
Same state 1,165 (88.9%)
Other US states 124 (9.5%)
Outside US 19 (1.5%)
ℹ️

About this data: The geographic breakdown above uses IPEDS Fall Enrollment census data, which captures a single-day snapshot. The enrollment figures in the "How Do Students Learn?" section above use 12-month unduplicated headcount, which typically shows higher numbers as it covers the full academic year. Both are official IPEDS data — they measure different things.

97% of University of Houston's exclusively online undergraduates are located in TX. The school primarily serves local online learners.

What Is the Academic Load?

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Analysis

36,837
Total FTE
31,485
Undergraduate FTE
5,352
Graduate FTE

FTE Distribution

Undergraduate FTE
31,485 (85.5%)
Graduate FTE
5,352 (14.5%)

FTE Analysis

Study Intensity:78.9% FTE ratio indicates many students attend part-time

Academic Load: FTE represents the equivalent of full-time students based on credit hours, helping compare institutional capacity regardless of part-time enrollment.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) measures the total student enrollment adjusted for course load. One FTE represents a student taking a full course load, while two half-time students equal one FTE. This metric helps compare institutional size and resource allocation across different schools.

How Intensively Do Students Study?

Student Enrollment Intensity

The Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) ratio shows the average course load intensity. An FTE ratio of 1.0 means all students attend full-time, while lower values indicate more part-time enrollment.

78.9%
FTE Ratio
Intensity LevelModerate

A mix of full-time and part-time students, offering flexibility for those balancing work, family, and education.

Undergraduate FTE
31,485
Graduate FTE
5,352
Total FTE
36,837
Headcount
46,676

FTE represents student enrollment adjusted for course load. Two half-time students equal 1 FTE.

FTE Ratio Scale

< 0.5
Low
0.5-0.65
Mod-Low
0.65-0.8
Moderate
0.8-0.95
High
≥ 0.95
Very High

The enrollment intensity shows how committed students are to their studies. Higher FTE ratios indicate more full-time students and intensive programs, while lower ratios suggest flexible scheduling that accommodates working professionals and students with other responsibilities. This information helps you understand whether the institution caters to traditional full-time students or offers more flexibility for adult learners.

Academic Support & Resources

Academic Advising

Students have access to academic advisors who can help with course selection, degree planning, and career guidance. Contact the admissions office to learn about advising services.

Student Success Services

Many institutions offer tutoring, study groups, and academic success workshops. These resources help students develop study skills and overcome academic challenges.

For detailed information about academic support services, tutoring hours, and learning resources, contact University of Houston directly at 7137431000 or visit their website .

Key Academic Highlights

  • Student-to-faculty ratio of 21:1 supports personalized learning
  • 1590 instructional staff with 20% holding tenured positions
  • Flexible scheduling options accommodate working students and adult learners
  • Online students primarily from TX (97% in-state)

Ready to Learn More About Academics at University of Houston?

Contact the admissions office to discuss academic programs, support services, and learning options.

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