University of Houston vs Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
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
University of Houston holds a 4-point ROI advantage over Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, scoring 80/100 versus 76/100. 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 $19,151 at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College - a difference of $4,875 annually, or roughly $19,500 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Houston graduates earn a median of $62,377 compared to $61,251 at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. The payback period is 7.2 years at University of Houston versus 8.3 years at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College.
Graduates leave University of Houston with a median $18,194 in debt versus $20,500 at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.39 and 0.46 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Houston | Louisiana State Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $9,717 | $11,954 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $22,547 | $28,631 |
| Net Price (avg) | $14,276 | $19,151 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $57,104 | $76,604 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $47,100 | $45,000 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $62,377 | $61,251 |
| Graduation Rate | 64.6% | 68.8% |
| Payback Period | 7.2 yr | 8.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $18,194 | $20,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $193 | $217 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.39 | 0.46 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 75.2% | 81.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 67.1% | 74.3% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 73.9% | 73.3% |
| Enrollment | 38,380 | 30,594 |
| SAT Range | 1160-1340 | 1180-1340 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Housto... | Louisiana State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $10,929 | $13,056 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $10,220 | $15,696 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $12,528 | $20,223 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $19,197 | $23,878 |
| $110,001+ | $23,811 | $26,489 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Housto... | Louisiana State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Engineering | $110,184 | $114,226 |
| Electrical Engineering | $107,399 | $97,208 |
| Computer Engineering | $107,283 | $106,897 |
| Petroleum Engineering | $94,651 | $103,421 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $93,275 | $99,975 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $78,009 | $95,302 |
| Industrial Engineering | $94,814 | $94,748 |
| Civil Engineering | $89,653 | $85,627 |
| Accounting | $84,668 | $82,617 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $73,125 | $64,590 |
| Architecture | $70,616 | $69,029 |
| Marketing | $68,139 | $60,408 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences | $68,127 | $67,493 |
| International Relations | $61,533 | $67,007 |
| Mathematics | $62,833 | $64,121 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Housto... | Louisiana State Univ... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 89 | 75 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 81 | 73 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 88 | 81 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 68 | 77 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 55 | 75 |
| Overall ROI Score | 80 | 76 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of Houston edges out Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College by 4 points (80 vs 76), 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
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
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.