University of Houston-Downtown

Houston, Texas · Public · 90.0% acceptance rate

ROI Score: 62/100 · Fair Value

University of Houston-Downtown

Fair Value

ROI Score

Earnings Premium

86(0.44x)

Payback Period

62(9.8 yr)

Debt / Earnings

83(0.44)

Completion Rate

13(33%)

Repayment Rate

19(62%)

Quick Numbers

In-state tuition + fees	$7,708/yr
Out-of-state tuition + fees	$17,548/yr
Average net price	$10,542/yr
Total 4-year cost (net)	$42,168
Median earnings (10yr post-entry)	$53,551
Median earnings (6yr post-entry)	$42,500
Median debt at graduation	$18,750
Estimated monthly loan payment	$199
Estimated payback period	9.8 years
6-year graduation rate	33.2%
Undergraduate enrollment	12,555

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	4-Year Est.
$0 - $30,000	$9,439	$37,756
$30,001 - $48,000	$10,048	$40,192
$48,001 - $75,000	$11,247	$44,988
$75,001 - $110,000	$15,488	$61,952
$110,001+	$19,380	$77,520

Earnings by Major

Top 10 most popular majors at University of Houston-Downtown with available earnings data.

Major	Median Earnings	Debt	Debt/Earnings	Grade	Graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other	$59,924	$28,237	0.57	C	428
Business Administration, Management, and Operations	$69,712	$25,000	0.47	C+	257
Accounting	$67,499	$21,943	0.41	B	251
Criminal Justice and Corrections	$53,589	$22,757	0.54	C+	241
Psychology	$48,234	$28,500	0.80	D	240
Finance and Financial Management	$66,591	$25,000	0.53	C+	130
Business Administration and Management	$59,188	$24,000	0.51	C+	125
Management Information Systems	$66,881	$20,500	0.40	B	109
Computer and Information Sciences	$72,528	$19,000	0.34	B+	98
Marketing	$61,866	$22,500	0.52	C+	84

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-Downtown is $7,708/year ($17,548/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 $10,542/year, or roughly $42,168 over four years.

That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $9,439/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $19,380/year.

The median graduate leaves with $18,750 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $199 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $53,551 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.44 - well within manageable territory.

How Graduates Do

Earnings

6 years after entry$42,500

+$7,500 vs. HS grad

10 years after entry$53,551

+$18,551 vs. HS grad

Annual earnings premium$18,551

Over median HS graduate ($35,000)

Loan Repayment

Metric	This School	Nat'l Avg
1-year repayment	55.0%	52.0%
3-year repayment	61.5%	62.0%
5-year repayment	50.5%	68.0%
7-year repayment	56.4%	72.0%

Completion Rate

0%National avg: 60.0%100%

33.2%

6-year rate

Admissions Snapshot

Acceptance rate	90.0%
SAT Math (25th-75th)	460-550
SAT Reading (25th-75th)	480-560
ACT Composite (25th-75th)	16-22
Enrollment	12,555
Pell Grant recipients	55.2%
Avg faculty salary (monthly)	$9,421

Compared to Similar Schools

Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.

School	ROI	Net Price	10yr Earnings	Debt	Completion
University of Houston-Downtown (this school)	62	$10,542	$53,551	$18,750	33.2%
Portland State University	69	$9,552	$57,906	$20,500	52.7%
University of Nebraska at Omaha	64	$13,441	$53,909	$19,000	47.1%
Minnesota State University-Mankato	62	$19,139	$56,922	$21,106	53.9%
Angelo State University	49	$15,091	$50,116	$20,000	44.0%
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi	48	$15,225	$51,865	$23,000	40.2%

The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats

Fair Value

University of Houston-Downtown offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $10,542 per year leads to $42,168 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $53,551 a decade out. The payback period of 9.8 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.

Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings. However, the data also shows a 33.2% graduation rate and concerning loan repayment rates.

Median debt of $18,750 against $53,551 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.

Rankings & Links

Best ROI in Texas Best ROI Public Schools Best ROI Overall Best ROI Under $20K Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Salary Data

Guides & Tools

Calculate your ROI for University of Houston-Downtown →Compare University of to other schools →Is college worth it in 2026? →How to compare financial aid offers →How much student debt is too much? →State school vs private ROI →The real cost of college in 2026 →

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.

Methodology Data Sources