The Best Business Schools in Houston for 2026
The best business schools in Houston are the accredited schools that graduate their students and charge honestly for it, not the ones with the biggest name on the building. Hakia analyzed 89 accredited business programs in Houston and ranked 12 schools on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes. Tuition across the 12 ranked schools runs from $6,126 to $60,314 a year, a $54,188 spread for the same credential.
Rice University leads with a 95.2 Hakia Score on a 95% graduation rate, at $60,314 a year. Across all 12 ranked business schools in Houston the average graduation rate is 48%, ranging from 5% to 95%. 5 of the 12 are public and 7 are private, a split that drives most of the price gap below.
Below is the full ranked table, followed by a school-by-school look at what actually separates the business schools in Houston: cost, completion, selectivity, and where the degree leads. Every school here sits inside Houston city limits. Every figure is drawn from federal IPEDS and BLS data, and no school pays for placement.
Key Takeaways on the Best Business Schools in Houston
- Rice University ranks first among business schools in Houston with a 95.2 Hakia Score and a 95% graduation rate.
- Tuition across the 12 ranked business schools in Houston spans $6,126 to $60,314 a year, a $54,188 gap for the same credential.
- The 12 ranked business schools in Houston graduate 48% of students on average, from 5% to 95%.
- 5 of the 12 ranked schools are public, where the in-state rate is what Texas residents actually pay.
- 4 of the 12 offer a confirmed online option, which matters in a city where commuting time is the real cost.
Hakia analyzed 89 accredited business programs in Houston reported to IPEDS, scoring each on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes, then ranked one entry per school on its strongest program. No school is rewarded for sticker price alone, and none pays for inclusion.
The 12 Best Business Schools in Houston, Ranked for 2026
| # | Program | Type | In-state tuition | Grad rate | Admit rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rice UniversityHouston, TX | Nonprofit | $60,314 | 95% | 8% | 95.2 |
| 2 | University of HoustonHouston, TX | Public | $8,685 | 65% | 74% | 88.0 |
| 3 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonHouston, TX | Public | $10,038 | NR | NR | 82.7 |
| 4 | The College of Health Care Professions-NorthwestHouston, TX · online option | For-profit | NR | 47% | NR | 76.2 |
| 5 | University of St ThomasHouston, TX | Nonprofit | $33,784 | 69% | 90% | 76.1 |
| 6 | University of Houston-Clear LakeHouston, TX | Public | $6,600 | 52% | 91% | 75.5 |
| 7 | Houston Christian UniversityHouston, TX · online option | Nonprofit | $36,750 | 49% | 84% | 70.3 |
| 8 | University of Houston-DowntownHouston, TX · online option | Public | $6,126 | 33% | 90% | 69.8 |
| 9 | Texas Southern UniversityHouston, TX | Public | $6,941 | 22% | 97% | 62.9 |
| 10 | College of Biblical Studies-HoustonHouston, TX · online option | Nonprofit | $9,000 | 40% | NR | 61.2 |
| 11 | American InterContinental University-HoustonHouston, TX | For-profit | $14,169 | 5% | NR | 56.6 |
| 12 | American College of Acupuncture and Oriental MedHouston, TX | For-profit | NR | NR | NR | 50.0 |
NR — not reported by the institution in the latest IPEDS collection.
The Top Business Schools in Houston at a Glance
Each program scores 0 to 100 on the Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. Longer bars rank higher.
Inside the Top Business Schools in Houston
Rice University
Houston, TX · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 95%
- Admit rate
- 8%
- In-state
- $60,314
- Out-of-state
- $60,314
Rice graduates 95% of its students, above the 48% average across this ranking, on a 95.2 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 95.2, #1 of 12
- 95% graduation rate
- $60,314 tuition
- Most selective program here
Rice is a private, nonprofit institution in Houston, TX. Its Business program ranks #1 of the 12 analyzed here with a 95.2 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That is the highest score in the ranking, well above the 72 group average. The program graduates 95% of its students, above the 48% average across the ranked schools. Rice admits 8% of applicants, more selective than the 76% average for the group. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 5% to 95%. The university enrolls 8,961 students overall.
On cost, Rice charges $60,314 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,126 at Houston-Downtown to $60,314 at Rice. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
University of Houston
Houston, TX · Public
- Grad rate
- 65%
- Admit rate
- 74%
- In-state
- $8,685
- Out-of-state
- $21,515
At $8,685 a year in-state, UH is among the more affordable business programs ranked here, holding an 88.0 Hakia Score on a 65% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 88.0, #2 of 12
- 65% graduation rate
- $8,685 in-state vs $21,515 out-of-state
- Largest campus in this ranking
UH is a public institution in Houston, TX. Its Business program ranks #2 of the 12 analyzed here with an 88.0 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 72 group average, in the top third of the 12 ranked programs, 7.2 points behind top-ranked Rice. The program graduates 65% of its students, above the 48% average across the ranked schools. UH admits 74% of applicants, more selective than the 76% average for the group. That is more open than the 8% rate at Rice, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 5% to 95%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 47,980 students.
On cost, UH charges $8,685 a year in-state, roughly 2.5x the $21,515 out-of-state rate. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,126 at Houston-Downtown to $60,314 at Rice. The spread makes the program a clearer value for TX residents than for out-of-state students. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Houston, TX · Public
- Grad rate
- NR
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $10,038
- Out-of-state
- $37,422
Texas Health Science Center at Houston ranks #3 of the 12 business programs in this analysis, with an 82.7 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 82.7, #3 of 12
- $10,038 in-state vs $37,422 out-of-state
- 4,938 students enrolled
Texas Health Science Center at Houston is a public institution in Houston, TX. Its Business program ranks #3 of the 12 analyzed here with an 82.7 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 72 group average, in the top third of the 12 ranked programs. The university enrolls 4,938 students overall.
On cost, Texas Health Science Center at Houston charges $10,038 a year in-state, roughly 4x the $37,422 out-of-state rate. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,126 at Houston-Downtown to $60,314 at Rice. The spread makes the program a clearer value for TX residents than for out-of-state students. It earns its place in the top 12 on the balance of cost, completion, and outcomes.
The College of Health Care Professions-Northwest
Houston, TX · For-profit · online option
- Grad rate
- 47%
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- NR
- Out-of-state
- NR
College of Health Care Professions-Northwest ranks #4 of the 12 business programs in this analysis, with a 76.2 Hakia Score and a 47% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 76.2, #4 of 12
- 47% graduation rate
- Online option available
College of Health Care Professions-Northwest is a private, for-profit institution in Houston, TX. Its Business program ranks #4 of the 12 analyzed here with a 76.2 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 72 group average, in the top third of the 12 ranked programs. The program graduates 47% of its students, below the 48% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 5% to 95%. The university enrolls 4,530 students overall. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
For prospective students, the main draw here is its an online option.
University of St Thomas
Houston, TX · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 69%
- Admit rate
- 90%
- In-state
- $33,784
- Out-of-state
- $33,784
St Thomas graduates 69% of its students, above the 48% average across this ranking, on a 76.1 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 76.1, #5 of 12
- 69% graduation rate
- $33,784 tuition
- Admits just 90% of applicants
St Thomas is a private, nonprofit institution in Houston, TX. Its Business program ranks #5 of the 12 analyzed here with a 76.1 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 72 group average, in the middle third of the 12 ranked programs. The program graduates 69% of its students, above the 48% average across the ranked schools. St Thomas admits 90% of applicants, less selective than the 76% average for the group. That is more open than the 8% rate at Rice, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 5% to 95%. The university enrolls 4,301 students overall.
On cost, St Thomas charges $33,784 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,126 at Houston-Downtown to $60,314 at Rice. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.
University of Houston-Clear Lake
Houston, TX · Public
- Grad rate
- 52%
- Admit rate
- 91%
- In-state
- $6,600
- Out-of-state
- $20,544
At $6,600 a year in-state, Houston-Clear Lake is among the more affordable business programs ranked here, holding a 75.5 Hakia Score on a 52% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 75.5, #6 of 12
- 52% graduation rate
- $6,600 in-state vs $20,544 out-of-state
- Admits just 91% of applicants
Houston-Clear Lake is a public institution in Houston, TX. Its Business program ranks #6 of the 12 analyzed here with a 75.5 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 72 group average, in the middle third of the 12 ranked programs. The program graduates 52% of its students, above the 48% average across the ranked schools. Houston-Clear Lake admits 91% of applicants, less selective than the 76% average for the group. That is more open than the 8% rate at Rice, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 5% to 95%. The university enrolls 8,137 students overall.
On cost, Houston-Clear Lake charges $6,600 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $20,544 out-of-state rate. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,126 at Houston-Downtown to $60,314 at Rice. The spread makes the program a clearer value for TX residents than for out-of-state students. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.
Houston Christian University
Houston, TX · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 49%
- Admit rate
- 84%
- In-state
- $36,750
- Out-of-state
- $36,750
Houston Christian graduates 49% of its students, above the 48% average across this ranking, on a 70.3 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 70.3, #7 of 12
- 49% graduation rate
- $36,750 tuition
- Online option available
Houston Christian is a private, nonprofit institution in Houston, TX. Its Business program ranks #7 of the 12 analyzed here with a 70.3 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 72 group average, in the middle third of the 12 ranked programs. The program graduates 49% of its students, above the 48% average across the ranked schools. Houston Christian admits 84% of applicants, less selective than the 76% average for the group. That is more open than the 8% rate at Rice, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 5% to 95%. The university enrolls 4,276 students overall. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Houston Christian charges $36,750 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,126 at Houston-Downtown to $60,314 at Rice. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with an online option.
University of Houston-Downtown
Houston, TX · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 33%
- Admit rate
- 90%
- In-state
- $6,126
- Out-of-state
- $15,978
At $6,126 a year in-state, Houston-Downtown is among the more affordable business programs ranked here, holding a 69.8 Hakia Score on a 33% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 69.8, #8 of 12
- 33% graduation rate
- $6,126 in-state vs $15,978 out-of-state
- Lowest in-state tuition here
Houston-Downtown is a public institution in Houston, TX. Its Business program ranks #8 of the 12 analyzed here with a 69.8 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 72 group average, in the middle third of the 12 ranked programs. The program graduates 33% of its students, below the 48% average across the ranked schools. Houston-Downtown admits 90% of applicants, less selective than the 76% average for the group. That is more open than the 8% rate at Rice, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 5% to 95%. The university enrolls 13,730 students overall. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Houston-Downtown charges $6,126 a year in-state, roughly 2.6x the $15,978 out-of-state rate. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,126 at Houston-Downtown to $60,314 at Rice. The spread makes the program a clearer value for TX residents than for out-of-state students. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with an online option.
Texas Southern University
Houston, TX · Public
- Grad rate
- 22%
- Admit rate
- 97%
- In-state
- $6,941
- Out-of-state
- $19,737
At $6,941 a year in-state, Texas Southern is among the more affordable business programs ranked here, holding a 62.9 Hakia Score on a 22% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 62.9, #9 of 12
- 22% graduation rate
- $6,941 in-state vs $19,737 out-of-state
- Admits just 97% of applicants
Texas Southern is a public institution in Houston, TX. Its Business program ranks #9 of the 12 analyzed here with a 62.9 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 72 group average, in the lower third of the 12 ranked programs. The program graduates 22% of its students, below the 48% average across the ranked schools. Texas Southern admits 97% of applicants, less selective than the 76% average for the group. That is more open than the 8% rate at Rice, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 5% to 95%. The university enrolls 8,704 students overall.
On cost, Texas Southern charges $6,941 a year in-state, roughly 2.8x the $19,737 out-of-state rate. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,126 at Houston-Downtown to $60,314 at Rice. The spread makes the program a clearer value for TX residents than for out-of-state students. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.
College of Biblical Studies-Houston
Houston, TX · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 40%
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $9,000
- Out-of-state
- $9,000
College of Biblical Studies-Houston ranks #10 of the 12 business programs in this analysis, with a 61.2 Hakia Score and a 40% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 61.2, #10 of 12
- 40% graduation rate
- $9,000 tuition
- Online option available
Based in Houston, TX, College of Biblical Studies-Houston is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Business program lands at #10 of the 12 ranked here, earning a 61.2 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 72 group average, in the lower third of the 12 ranked programs. The program graduates 40% of its students, below the 48% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 5% to 95%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 419 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, College of Biblical Studies-Houston charges $9,000 a year in-state. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,126 at Houston-Downtown to $60,314 at Rice. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its an online option.
What Business Schools in Houston Cost
Tuition across the 12 ranked schools runs from $6,126 to $60,314 a year. University of Houston-Downtown anchors the low end at $6,126 a year, while Rice University sits at the top at $60,314. The cheapest public option among the business schools in Houston is University of Houston-Downtown at $6,126; the cheapest private is College of Biblical Studies-Houston at $9,000.
Over the four years the credential takes, that is roughly $24,504 in tuition at University of Houston-Downtown against about $241,256 at Rice University. Public figures here are the in-state resident rate, so an applicant moving to Houston from another state should read the out-of-state column before treating the cheap end of this list as cheap.
Which Business Major to Choose in Houston
Business school covers a dozen different degrees, and the business schools in Houston do not all offer the same ones. Across the 89 accredited programs analyzed here, the fields with the deepest coverage in Houston are business administration (8 schools), accounting (7 schools), finance (6 schools), healthcare administration (6 schools), marketing (6 schools). A school ranked highly overall is not automatically strong in the major you want, so check the field before the name.
Accounting is the one track bound to a license: CPA eligibility in most states requires 150 credit hours against the 120 a bachelor's confers, which changes the course plan from the first year rather than the last. 7 of the schools analyzed in Houston run one.
Public and Private Business Schools in Houston
5 of the 12 ranked business schools in Houston are public and 7 are private, and that split drives most of the $54,188 tuition spread above. The public rate is a residency benefit: University of Houston-Downtown charges $6,126 in-state and $15,978 out of state, so where a student already lives changes this ranking more than any other single factor.
Private schools discount heavily off the published number, which is why sticker price alone is a poor comparison. Completion is the better lens: the 12 ranked schools average 48%, from 5% to 95%, and a cheap degree that does not finish is not a saving. Run each school's own net price calculator before ruling one out on tuition.
Why Study Business in Houston
Being on a campus among the business schools in Houston puts a student inside the employer network that school recruits into, close enough for an internship during term rather than only over the summer, and internships are what turn an undergraduate business degree into a first job.
All 12 ranked schools sit inside the city itself, so the choice between them turns on the borough and the commute rather than on the metro. 4 of the 12 also run a confirmed online option for students who cannot be on campus daily.
Business Schools in Houston: Your Questions, Answered
What is the best business school in Houston?
By Hakia Score, Rice University ranks first among the 12 ranked business schools in Houston, with a 95.2 score and a 95% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes together, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one of them.
Can you study business part-time in Houston?
Yes. Evening, weekend and part-time formats are common across the business schools in Houston, and in a metro this size most schools run at least one. The tradeoff is length rather than content: the same credential takes longer while you keep working. Ask each school for the completion rate of its part-time cohort specifically, since it often differs from the headline graduation rate this ranking uses.
How much does a business degree cost in Houston?
Tuition among the ranked Houston schools runs from $6,126 to $60,314 a year. Public schools publish the in-state resident rate, so students moving in from another state should check the out-of-state column before comparing. Neither figure includes Houston living costs, which are a real part of the total.
How many business schools in Houston does this ranking cover?
We analyzed 89 accredited business programs across Houston and ranked the top 12 schools, listing one entry per school on its strongest program. Every school here sits inside Houston city limits.
Is it worth studying business in Houston instead of online?
4 of the 12 ranked schools run a confirmed online option, so in Houston this is a live choice rather than a hypothetical one. An accredited online program carries identical standing on a transcript, since accreditation attaches to the school and the program rather than to the delivery format. What a campus adds is proximity to the employers that school recruits into, and at $6,126 in-state, University of Houston-Downtown is what that proximity costs at the low end here. The honest comparison is local access against the cost of being here.
How the Business Schools in Houston Are Scored
Every program earns a Hakia Score from 0 to 100, built only from federal data (IPEDS, the U.S. Department of Education, and BLS) and scored against its true peers: programs in the same field at the same degree level. No reputation surveys, no pay-to-play. Here is how the score is weighted:
- Outcomes44%
Graduation rate (26%) and real per-school graduate earnings (18%). Does the program get students to the finish line, and where do they land?
- Selectivity & academics38%
Admissions selectivity (24%) and the academic profile of admitted students (14%).
- Scale & value18%
Enrollment (7%), cost-to-earnings value (6%), and the number of graduates a program produces (5%).
Weights renormalize over the data each program actually reports, so a school missing a metric (many open-access colleges do not publish entrance scores or earnings) is never penalized for it. Scores are percentiles within the peer group, curved to a 0-to-100 scale. What the score does not measure: individual instructor quality, specific course content, or campus culture. Verify those directly with the program.