University of Houston-Victoria
Victoria, Texas · Public · 95.9% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 67/100 · Fair Value
University of Houston-Victoria (UHV) is a regional public university in Victoria, Texas, enrolling about 2,513 students. In-state tuition of $7,149 and a net price of $8,109 make it one of the most affordable four-year degrees in Texas. Its ROI score of 67 (Fair Value) is driven primarily by a strong earnings premium (60.0%) and low median debt ($18,973), offset by a very low completion rate of 26.4% — the second-lowest public university completion rate in this review batch. Median six-year earnings of $43,800 and ten-year of $54,467 reflect a graduate population that accesses Texas's robust energy, healthcare, and logistics sectors. The 8.9-year payback period is respectable. UHV serves a high-Pell population (48.9%), drawn from Victoria's working-class community and the surrounding South Texas region. Finance, computer science, and human resources management lead ROI outcomes; English and criminal justice lag. UHV's online delivery model makes it accessible to working adults beyond Victoria's immediate geography, competing with online programs from other UT and UH system schools. The 95.9% admission rate confirms open-access intent.
The data raises concerns about University of Houston-Victoria
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- 6-year graduation rate26.4% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
University of Houston-Victoria
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $7,149/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $16,989/yr |
| Average net price | $8,109/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $32,436 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $54,467 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $43,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $18,973 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $201 |
| Estimated payback period | 8.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 26.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,513 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Houston-Victoria is $7,149/year ($16,989/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 $8,109/year, or roughly $32,436 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $5,317/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $20,285/year.
The median graduate leaves with $18,973 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $201 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $54,467 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.43 - well within manageable territory.
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 | $5,317 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,579 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,553 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,047 |
| $110,001+ | $20,285 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Low-income students (under $30,000) pay $5,317 net — among the lowest in Texas public education. Four-year investment approaches $21,000. With median six-year earnings of $43,800 and an 8.9-year payback, the economics are positive for completers in high-earning programs. The 26.4% completion rate is the primary risk: students who leave without a degree still carry debt. Full-time enrollment, academic advising engagement, and employer tuition assistance when available are the most powerful persistence levers.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $30,001–$48,000 band pays $5,579 net — essentially the same as the lowest bracket, reflecting UHV's very flat aid structure for lower-income families. Four-year cost around $22,000 is exceptional value for a Texas public degree. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 at the institutional level compares favorably to most Texas public schools at any price tier.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Households above $110,000 pay $20,285 net — a large jump from lower brackets. Four-year cost around $81,000 is reasonable for a Texas public but less competitive relative to UT San Antonio or Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at similar prices with stronger brand recognition. For high-income families, UHV's ROI case depends on program choice: finance and CIS graduates fare well, while most other tracks are harder to justify at this price tier.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Houston-Victoria with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $53,837 | C+ |
| Business Administration and Management | $56,397 | C |
| Psychology | $42,359 | D |
| Accounting | $55,175 | C |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $62,054 | C+ |
| Communication and Media Studies | $52,435 | B |
| Finance and Financial Management | $80,774 | B+ |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $79,123 | B |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $50,809 | D |
| Marketing | $61,341 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance (37 graduates) earns $50,812 at one year and $80,774 at four years — UHV's best four-year earnings program. Debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35 earns a B+ grade, the highest at UHV. Victoria's energy sector (Formosa Plastics, Invista, and refinery operations) and the I-10 corridor to Houston provide finance graduates with corporate treasury, cost accounting, and project finance placement pathways. At under $8,200 net price, Finance at UHV is an excellent cost-to-outcome ratio.
Computer and Information Sciences
CIS (31 graduates) earns $52,251 at one year and $79,123 at four, with $20,671 median debt and a 0.40 ratio (B grade). UHV's online CIS offering reaches students beyond Victoria into the broader Texas market. South Texas's growing petrochemical digitization and the Houston metro's tech sector provide meaningful remote-work and in-person placement options. The program's ROI is strong at UHV's price point.
Accounting
Accounting (53 graduates) earns $46,370 at one year and $55,175 at four years, with $28,446 median debt — the highest at UHV — and a 0.61 ratio (C grade). The four-year earnings ceiling is below expectations for accounting given strong initial demand for the credential. The higher-than-average debt reflects students borrowing more than the net price would imply, possibly including living costs and fees. CPA licensure completion after graduation significantly improves the long-term earnings trajectory.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (53 graduates) earns $37,275 at one year and $62,054 at four years, with $18,314 debt and a 0.49 ratio (C+ grade). The wide gap between one- and four-year earnings suggests early career business graduates are advancing into supervisory and management roles as they accumulate experience. South Texas's industrial employer base and UHV's professional business network provide regional placement, particularly in operations and supply chain roles.
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
Multidisciplinary Studies (125 graduates — the largest cohort at UHV) earns $47,803 at one year and $53,837 at four years, with $25,930 median debt and a 0.54 ratio (C+ grade). This broad credential likely captures working professionals completing degree requirements across varied fields. The earnings are above UHV's institutional median, suggesting many students in this track are already employed and gaining the credential for advancement rather than entry.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 68.0% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 69.6% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 61.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 68.8% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 95.9% |
| Enrollment | 2,513 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 48.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,358 |
UHV admits 95.9% of applicants with no published test score ranges — essentially open enrollment. Most students transfer from community colleges or enroll as working adults. The completion rate of 26.4% suggests significant stop-out patterns, underscoring the importance of advising, course load management, and financial continuity planning for enrolled students. Declaring a major and connecting with an academic advisor in the first semester are associated with higher persistence at institutions with this profile.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
UHV's ROI score of 67 is in the Fair Value range, above Penn State Abington (63) and IWU-NG (61) in this review batch. Among Scorecard peers — Angelo State, TAMUCC, UH West Oahu, UArk Grantham, and Penn State Abington — UHV's earnings premium (60%) is the highest, reflecting the South Texas energy sector's wage lift. Its completion rate (26.4%) is the weakest in the peer group. UHV's most direct competitor is TAMUCC, which enrolls a similar demographic at a similar price; TAMUCC's proximity to Corpus Christi's energy sector gives it a comparable regional advantage with marginally stronger brand recognition statewide.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Houston-Victoria (this school) | 67 | $8,109 | $54,467 |
| University of Arkansas Grantham | 69 | $8,370 | $63,496 |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | 67 | $10,327 | $52,075 |
| Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington | 63 | $18,071 | $63,435 |
| Angelo State University | 49 | $15,091 | $50,116 |
| Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi | 48 | $15,225 | $51,865 |
Who Thrives Here
UHV suits working adults and non-traditional students in South Texas who need affordable, flexible degree completion pathways. Finance, accounting, business, and computer science students get the clearest ROI. Students in Victoria's petrochemical and energy corridor benefit from industry proximity. Those attracted primarily by price but with ambitions for Austin or Houston metro placements should plan their job search strategy early — UHV's brand carries regional weight but less national recognition than flagship UT or UH systems.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
University of Houston-Victoria offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $8,109 per year leads to $32,436 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $54,467 a decade out. The payback period of 8.9 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 26.4% graduation rate and concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $18,973 against $54,467 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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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.