University of Houston-Victoria history

Recognizing the higher education needs in Fort Bend County, the University of Houston-Victoria begins offering for-credit classes in 1994 in leased facilities in Sugar Land.

Momentum builds in 1996, when the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approves the creation of a partnership with Wharton Country Junior College, Houston Community College and the UH System.

In 1998, the Texas Department of Transportation transfers 248 acres of land near the Brazos River to the UH System for the construction of a permanent facility.

By 2002 the University of Houston System at Fort Bend becomes the University of Houston at Sugar Land.

There are now nearly 2,000 students coming to class, and by 2004, with degrees in biology and bioinformatics added to its academic offerings by UH-Victoria, enrollment reaches more than 2,400 students.

In 2006, the City of Sugar Land and the UH System at Sugar Land sign a long-term land lease that provides $3.5 million toward construction of a second building to be shared with Wharton County Junior College.

Later that year, the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners approves a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to be offered at the UH System at Sugar Land and in 2007 ground breaks for the second building on the UH System at Sugar Land campus.

In October 2008, the UH System Board of Regents adopted a resolution authorizing UHV to seek enabling state legislation to add freshmen and sophomores.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools approved UHV to admit underclassmen and offer lower-division courses on November 17, 2009, and UHV also received its first freshman application the same day.

UHV reached another milestone in 2010 when classes were added for freshmen and sophomores, and the university became a residential campus.

In 2011, the Fort Bend County Library System opens the doors to its University Branch for use by all students.

In 2012, under the administration of the University of Houston main campus, University of Houston System at Sugar Land is renamed University of Houston Sugar Land to reflect its connection to the faculty, research and programs of the main campus.

In March 2018 UH at Sugar Land breaks ground on the College of Technology building.

UHV was ranked in the top tier of Educate to Career’s 2020 rankings of colleges with the best response to COVID-19.

2 on its 2021 Most Affordable Online Colleges in Texas list based on the university’s high-quality, affordable degree programs and regionally accredited programs.