Cost & ROI · 2026
Is University of Houston-Downtown worth it?
Pay $10,542/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $53,551 ten years out — about 5.1× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: A.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
University of Houston-Downtown vs Texas avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Texas college and the typical US college.
| Metric | University of Houston-Downtown | Texas avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $10,542 | $16,183 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $53,551 | $48,157 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▲ $18,750 | $18,050 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▼ 33.2% | 44.3% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▲ 90% | 75% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $82,996 over four years. Most students get $10,207/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $18,750 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 35% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median University of Houston-Downtown grad earns about $342,040 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about University of Houston-Downtown
The average student at University of Houston-Downtown pays $10,542 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $20,749 published sticker price. That is below the TX average net price of $16,183.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $53,551 — above the TX median of $48,157. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $18,750, roughly $203 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 35% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Texas colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of University of Houston-Downtown.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at University of Houston-Downtown?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $10,542 per year. That's $10,207/yr in financial aid against the $20,749 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $42,168.
How much do University of Houston-Downtown graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, University of Houston-Downtown graduates earn a median of $53,551 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 5.1× the annual net cost.
How much debt do University of Houston-Downtown graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $18,750 — about $203/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 29.9% of students take federal loans.
Is University of Houston-Downtown worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns University of Houston-Downtown a value grade of A — top 18% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $10,542/yr, earn $53,551/yr ten years out, ROI score of 12.70. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at University of Houston-Downtown?
55.2% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 29.9% take federal student loans. On average, students get $10,207 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at University of Houston-Downtown?
In-state tuition is $7,708 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $17,548 per year — a difference of $9,840/yr or $39,360 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at University of Houston-Downtown?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $9,439. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $19,380. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →