Houston is a populous and economically diverse city in Texas, with an estimated population of 2,397,315 as of July 1, 2025. The Allen brothers founded Houston on August 30, 1836, and named it after General Sam Houston. Although energy remains central to the city’s identity, Houston also has substantial medicine, aerospace, technology, and manufacturing sectors.
The Greater Houston area received 92.6 million visitors in 2024. The area’s museums, parks, galleries, performing arts venues, restaurants, and other attractions contribute to its tourism appeal.
Houston also has a large higher education ecosystem. The City of Houston lists more than 40 colleges, universities, and other institutions, including the University of Houston, Texas Southern University, and the University of St. Thomas. Major health education and research institutions include UTHealth Houston, Baylor College of Medicine, and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Texas Southern University and the University of Houston also operate pharmacy schools.
For additional medical and health-related options outside Houston, students may also explore UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Florida.
This article highlights two notable institutions for students considering medical education in Houston. Let’s take a look!
Top Medical Schools in Houston
1. Baylor College of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine is a health sciences university in the Texas Medical Center. Its current affiliates include Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Harris Health System, MD Anderson Cancer Center, The Menninger Clinic, TIRR Memorial Hermann, and the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.
Baylor offers an MD program, an MD/PhD Medical Scientist Training Program, biomedical graduate programs, and six programs through its School of Health Professions. The health professions programs cover nurse anesthesia, genetic counseling, orthotics and prosthetics, physician assistant studies, clinical psychology, and cardiovascular perfusion.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, annual MD tuition at Baylor’s Houston campus is $19,682.50 for Texas residents and $32,782.50 for nonresidents. Mandatory fees, health insurance, and living expenses are additional, and all charges are subject to change. Applicants should consult Baylor’s official tuition and fees page before applying.
2. University of Texas Health Science Center
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, commonly known as UTHealth Houston, is an academic health university in the Texas Medical Center. It now comprises seven schools: Cizik School of Nursing, McGovern Medical School, the MD Anderson UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics, the School of Behavioral Health Sciences, the School of Dentistry, and the School of Public Health.
UTHealth Houston currently reports 5,047 students and 34 degree and certificate programs. Major clinical training sites for McGovern Medical School include Memorial Hermann–Texas Medical Center, Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, and Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital.
The School of Dentistry provides dental surgery, dental hygiene, and advanced specialty education, including training in endodontics, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and prosthodontics. Cizik School of Nursing offers BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD programs. Its nurse anesthesia pathway is now offered as a BSN-to-DNP program rather than as a standalone master’s-level nurse anesthesia program.
Houston is at the forefront of medical education, research, and health care in the United States. The city is home to prominent institutions such as Baylor College of Medicine and UTHealth Houston. Prospective students should compare each institution’s programs, admissions requirements, tuition, and clinical training opportunities on its official website before applying.
We hope this article on medical schools in and near Houston was helpful. To learn more about studying in the United States, visit our Study in the USA Page and review the Available Programs for International Students!
