A Brief History of Human Spaceflight

Founded in 1927 and led by President Renu Khator, the University of Houston is the leading public research university in Houston and the third largest university in Texas. In 2021, UH enrolled more than 47,000 students in 276 undergraduate and graduate academic programs – both on campus and online. UH awards more than 11,000 degrees annually and has more than 360,000 alumni. Expanding its community reach, UH also serves students through instructional sites in Sugar Land and Katy. In 2020, the University launched a College of Medicine to meet the health care needs of underserved populations in the region and state.

The student body at UH is one of the most diverse in the nation among research universities for its ethnic diversity, with no majority race on campus, and is also very international in character, with students from more 125 nations. With more than 500 student organizations and 17 intercollegiate sports teams, campus life at UH is vibrant and engaging. Within nine residential communities, UH houses approximately 8,400 students.

The University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, master's, professional and doctoral degrees. Classified as a Tier One institution by virtue of its Highest Research Activity ranking by the Carnegie Foundation. UH is home to a Phi Beta Kappa chapter — America’s most prestigious honor society.  

The University's distinguished faculty members include Tony Award winners as well as 20 members of the National Academies of Science and Engineering and 19 members of the National Academy of Inventors. As a member of the Association of Research Libraries, UH is distinguished by the breadth and quality of its collections and services.

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