Institutions

Institutions

Our thirteen 2- and 4-year institutions offer a wide range of programs of study, cultural environments, and physical campus locations, creating convenient and exciting options for each student. Get to know each institution at a glance below and click on those you’re interested in to explore them more in depth.

Community colleges and universities seeking to join Houston GPS should contact Cindy Mejia, UH Executive Director of Student Success Strategies at crmejia@uh.edu.

Community Colleges

Alvin Community College

Located in Alvin, TX, Alvin Community College provides high-quality academic, technical and workforce programs, and promotes student success, enhances quality of life and supports economic development.

ACC offers over 80 degrees and certificates in eight Career Pathways. With 4 convenient locations in Brazoria County, caring faculty and staff, and one of the most affordable tuitions in Texas, ACC’s goal is to provide each individual the start towards fulfilling their dreams.

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College of the Mainland

College of the Mainland is the premier choice for those looking to jumpstart their educational journey. Conveniently located in the heart of Texas City, COM offers caring instructors, affordable tuition and limitless opportunities for students wanting to further their educational pursuits or enter the workforce.

With more than 25 associate degree programs and nearly 30 workforce development and job training certificate programs from which to choose, students are invited to explore a vast selection of programs. Whether you’re looking to transfer to a university or prepare for a new career or trade, COM provides innovative and dynamic learning options to meet the unique needs of every student, and all core classes transfer.

From state-of-the-art classrooms and labs to diverse student life activities, our unique campus atmosphere is close to home, but far from ordinary. With small classes taught by experienced faculty, COM helps students focus on a meaningful path that works for their individual needs.

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Galveston College

For more than 50 years, Galveston College has served the citizens of Galveston Island and the surrounding region with high-quality academic transfer, workforce, and continuing education programs and courses. With two locations that serve approximately 2,400 enrolled students each semester in credit programs and nearly 1,500 individuals annually in continuing education activities, Galveston College offers two-year associate degrees, technical and professional certificates, and customized training for business and industry. The college recently added its first Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Healthcare Management and has plans to offer additional bachelor’s degrees in the future.

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Houston Community College System

As one of the largest community colleges in the nation, HCC has served the Greater Houston area for over four decades. We deliver instruction to nearly 70,000 students each semester in more than 300 associate degree and certificate programs. We strive to provide superior academic and technical programs, and our Centers of Excellence focus on being lead institutions in their disciplines.

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Lone Star College System

Lone Star College opened its doors in 1972 welcoming 600 students. Since then, LSC has redefined the community college experience helping more than 2 million students earn nearly 29 million credit hours. Today LSC enrolls over 80,000 students each semester providing high-quality, academic transfer and career training education. LSC students take advantage of affordable tuition all while staying close to home. Whether in-person, online or a mix of both, there is sure to be a program to help you start close and go far.

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San Jacinto College District

Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. San Jacinto College is among the top 5 community colleges in the nation as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020. The College serves approximately 41,000 credit and non-credit students annually and offers more than 200 degrees and certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. San Jacinto College’s impact on the region totals $1.3 billion in added income, which supports 13,044 jobs. The College is fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA and Aa2 by Standard & Poor's and Moody's.

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Wharton County Junior College

Wharton County Junior College offers a wide variety of credit programs and educational pathways to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed. Students may choose from one-year programs and two-year associate degree programs. Depending on their path students will be ready to pursue a four-year degree or get on the fast track to their dream career. WCJC offers more than 40 programs of study at four campuses in Wharton, Richmond, Sugar Land and Bay City. The college is known for its high academic transfer rate and popular programs in healthcare and medical services professions, engineering, law enforcement, education, office administration, paralegal studies, automotive technology, cosmetology and welding. WCJC offers high-demand industry programs in nuclear power, process technology and manufacturing.

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Participating Universities

Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU)

Founded in 1876, PVAMU is the second oldest public institution of higher education in the state of Texas and the third largest Historically Black College/University in the nation. Designated as an “institution of the first class” in the Texas Constitution, enrollment exceeds 9,000 students and over 80,000 graduates. PVAMU offers academic programs through its ten colleges and schools, boasting degree options leading to bachelor’s to doctoral-level degrees. A Carnegie-classified high-research (R2) University and a member of The Texas A&M University System, PVAMU is dedicated to fulfilling its land-grant mission of achieving excellence in teaching, research, and service.

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Texas Southern University

Texas Southern University (TSU) honors its designation as a special-purpose institution for urban programming and research. TSU is a comprehensive university providing higher education access to the nation’s underserved communities. TSU’s academic and research programs address critical urban issues, and prepares its diverse student population to become a force for positive change in a global society. TSU offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs and concentrations – bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degrees – organized into 10 colleges and schools on a 150-acre campus nestled in the heart of Houston’s historic Third Ward. The University’s enrollment has a population of more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate-school academic candidates. Texas Southern has been a distinguished educational pioneer since 1927, and the University has become one of the most diverse and respected institutions in Texas. TSU has positioned itself as a proactive leader in educating underserved students and many who are the first in their family to attend college.

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Texas Woman's University

Texas Woman's, the nation’s largest woman-focused university, with campuses in Denton, Dallas and Houston, is committed to transformational learning, leadership development, service, discovery, and health and wellbeing in an inclusive environment. The university has built a reputation on its contributions in nursing, education, the healthcare professions, the arts and sciences, and business.

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University of Houston

For nearly a century, the University of Houston has dared to challenge the conventions of traditional higher education. As one of the region’s largest public universities, UH adapts its academic programs to meet the needs of students and the state of Texas. A Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university, UH inspires tomorrow’s industry leaders and prepares professionals to elevate their respective communities to new heights. The institution is recognized globally for excellence in undergraduate education through its membership in Phi Beta Kappa, and its faculty include world renowned scholars. UH also is a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution and Asian American Serving Institution, further demonstrating its status as one of the nation’s most diverse universities. As the University approaches 100 years of excellence, its spirit remains vibrant, versatile, and ready to serve future generations of students.

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University of Houston – Clear Lake

Located in southeast Houston on a beautiful 524-acre campus, University of Houston – Clear Lake is a Hispanic-Serving Institution with more than 9,100 freshman, transfer and graduate students. UHCL offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and three doctoral programs from its four colleges: Business; Education; Human Sciences and Humanities; and Science and Engineering. UHCL offers in-person and online classes at its main campus as well as its instructional sites in Pearland and the Texas Medical Center. As a student-centered, community-minded and partnership-oriented university, UHCL continues to increase its regional university rankings and serve as a destination for lifelong learning, economic growth and global impact. More than 75,000 alumni are leaders in their fields and include CEOs, healthcare executives, educators, scientists, artists, astronauts and more.

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University of Houston – Downtown

Nestled in the heart of the nation’s fourth largest city is Houston’s second largest university—the University of Houston – Downtown. We offer bachelor’s degrees in 44 areas of study and nine master’s degrees within five colleges. Our student-centered institution is committed to helping more than 15,000 students, like yourself, realize their potential as they explore and pursue academic and career goals. Best of all, we offer one of the lowest tuition rates among Texas universities.

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University of Houston – Victoria

The University of Houston – Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973, offers courses leading to more than 80 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.

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Struggling to choose?

If the price of an institution is a major factor, try applying for financial aid before you make your selection. Then, compare your scholarship offers against the total cost of enrollment at each institution. Click below to learn more about cost effectiveness on our financial aid page.