University of Houston vs Indiana University-Bloomington
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
Indiana University-Bloomington holds a 4-point ROI advantage over University of Houston, scoring 84/100 versus 80/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, University of Houston comes in at $14,276 per year (net price after aid) versus $16,264 at Indiana University-Bloomington - a difference of $1,988 annually, or roughly $7,952 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Indiana University-Bloomington graduates earn a median of $63,742 compared to $62,377 at University of Houston. The payback period is 7.2 years at University of Houston versus 7.1 years at Indiana University-Bloomington.
Graduates leave University of Houston with a median $18,194 in debt versus $19,509 at Indiana University-Bloomington. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.39 and 0.44 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Houston | Indiana University-Bloomi... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $9,717 | $12,144 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $22,547 | $41,891 |
| Net Price (avg) | $14,276 | $16,264 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $57,104 | $65,056 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $47,100 | $44,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $62,377 | $63,742 |
| Graduation Rate | 64.6% | 80.2% |
| Payback Period | 7.2 yr | 7.1 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $18,194 | $19,509 |
| Monthly Payment | $193 | $207 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.39 | 0.44 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 75.2% | 82.1% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 67.1% | 77.7% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 73.9% | 78.2% |
| Enrollment | 38,380 | 37,806 |
| SAT Range | 1160-1340 | 1170-1400 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Housto... | Indiana University-B... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $10,929 | $6,324 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $10,220 | $7,610 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $12,528 | $12,154 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $19,197 | $20,204 |
| $110,001+ | $23,811 | $25,128 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Housto... | Indiana University-B... |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | $78,204 | $99,653 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $98,790 | $98,539 |
| Registered Nursing | $91,276 | $81,781 |
| Mathematics | $62,833 | $89,112 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | $61,122 | $78,721 |
| International Relations | $61,533 | $69,992 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $53,483 | $68,675 |
| Chemistry | $68,504 | $61,024 |
| Biology | $57,716 | $65,224 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $64,612 | $54,630 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $49,545 | $63,855 |
| Romance Languages | $56,442 | $61,757 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences | $54,126 | $60,199 |
| Journalism | $53,195 | $59,151 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $58,450 | $52,020 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Housto... | Indiana University-B... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 89 | 86 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 81 | 82 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 88 | 83 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 68 | 90 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 55 | 77 |
| Overall ROI Score | 80 | 84 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. Indiana University-Bloomington edges out University of Houston by 4 points (84 vs 80), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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University of Houston
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Indiana University-Bloomington
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.