University of Houston vs Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi
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 32-point ROI advantage over Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi, scoring 80/100 versus 48/100. 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 $15,225 at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi - a difference of $949 annually, or roughly $3,796 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Houston graduates earn a median of $62,377 compared to $51,865 at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi. The payback period is 7.2 years at University of Houston versus 11.9 years at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi.
Graduates leave University of Houston with a median $18,194 in debt versus $23,000 at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.39 and 0.59 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Houston | Texas A & M University-Co... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $9,717 | $9,748 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $22,547 | $20,794 |
| Net Price (avg) | $14,276 | $15,225 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $57,104 | $60,900 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $47,100 | $39,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $62,377 | $51,865 |
| Graduation Rate | 64.6% | 40.2% |
| Payback Period | 7.2 yr | 11.9 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $18,194 | $23,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $193 | $244 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.39 | 0.59 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 75.2% | 66.8% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 67.1% | 59.8% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 73.9% | 88.6% |
| Enrollment | 38,380 | 8,034 |
| SAT Range | 1160-1340 | 970-1193 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Housto... | Texas A & M Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $10,929 | $11,445 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $10,220 | $11,961 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $12,528 | $14,180 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $19,197 | $19,479 |
| $110,001+ | $23,811 | $23,426 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Housto... | Texas A & M Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineering | $107,399 | $71,616 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $98,790 | $86,698 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $93,275 | $82,322 |
| Management Information Systems | $91,983 | $57,021 |
| Registered Nursing | $91,276 | $83,329 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $84,692 | $41,317 |
| Accounting | $84,668 | $60,160 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $78,009 | $66,917 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $73,125 | $56,808 |
| Marketing | $68,139 | $62,017 |
| International Relations | $61,533 | $33,968 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $58,705 | $52,078 |
| Biology | $57,716 | $50,181 |
| Music | $56,667 | $22,833 |
| History | $55,475 | $50,387 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Housto... | Texas A & M Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 89 | 61 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 81 | 50 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 88 | 54 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 68 | 22 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 55 | 32 |
| Overall ROI Score | 80 | 48 |
The Verdict
University of Houston significantly outperforms Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi on financial ROI (80 vs 48). The 32-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors University of Houston.
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University of Houston
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi
Below Average 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.