University of Houston
Houston, Texas · Public · 73.9% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 80/100 · Strong Value
University of Houston
Strong ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $9,717/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $22,547/yr |
| Average net price | $14,276/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $57,104 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $62,377 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $47,100 |
| Median debt at graduation | $18,194 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $193 |
| Estimated payback period | 7.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 64.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 38,380 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,929 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,220 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,528 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,197 |
| $110,001+ | $23,811 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Houston with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $52,892 | C |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $73,125 | B |
| Finance and Financial Management | $78,009 | B+ |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $53,483 | D |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $98,790 | B+ |
| Biology | $57,716 | C |
| Management Information Systems | $91,983 | B+ |
| Marketing | $68,139 | B |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $54,471 | C |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $58,705 | B |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Houston is $9,717/year ($22,547/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $14,276/year, or roughly $57,104 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $10,929/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $23,811/year.
The median graduate leaves with $18,194 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $193 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $62,377 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.39 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 70.6% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 75.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 67.1% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 72.0% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 73.9% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 570-670 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 590-670 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 23-29 |
| Enrollment | 38,380 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 41.6% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $13,242 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Houston (this school) | 80 | $14,276 | $62,377 |
| Indiana University-Bloomington | 84 | $16,264 | $63,742 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | 80 | $25,346 | $69,738 |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College | 76 | $19,151 | $61,251 |
| Angelo State University | 49 | $15,091 | $50,116 |
| Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi | 48 | $15,225 | $51,865 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
University of Houston delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $14,276 per year ($57,104 over four years), graduates earn a median of $62,377 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 7.2 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings.
Median debt of $18,194 is very manageable against $62,377 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.