University of Houston-Downtown
- Graduation Rate
- 33% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $53,551 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $10,542 B
- 38% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 90% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 28.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $28.0 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $28.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,137,401.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 31% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 33% — 41% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $28.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of Houston-Downtown Matters
University of Houston-Downtown is a public university in Houston, TX and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 12,555
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Education
Why students choose University of Houston-Downtown
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 90% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 940–1110. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $10,542 a year after grants and scholarships — 38% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $53,551 ten years after enrolling — 31% above the typical college, against $18,750 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.45 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 12,500 students, the University of Houston-Downtown caters to a diverse group looking for a practical education in fields like Business & Marketing, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Education, and Computer Science & IT. The 90% acceptance rate means that many students have a chance to pursue their academic goals here. This openness is appealing for those who might be navigating a range of options or looking to transition into college life.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $53,551 within ten years. This figure underscores the potential for financial stability, especially for those who leverage their degrees effectively in the job market. The school’s affordability is also notable, with a net price of $10,542 after aid, making it a reasonable choice for many. A significant 55% of students receive Pell Grants, which indicates a commitment to supporting those from lower-income backgrounds.
When we look at the financial aspects, the median debt for graduates stands at $18,750, which is manageable considering the earning potential. This balance suggests that students who thrive here are often those who are determined and engaged, willing to navigate both their studies and the financial landscape effectively. With supportive resources and a focus on practical outcomes, the University of Houston-Downtown is a solid option for students aiming for a better future.
Rankings
- #22 Best Online Business Programs in Texas
- #22 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Texas
- #24 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Texas
- #25 Best Online Education Programs in Texas
- #34 Best Education Colleges in Texas
- #34 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Texas
- #34 Best Online Nursing Programs in Texas
- #35 Best Business Colleges in Texas
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Houston-Downtown is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Houston-Downtown? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Houston, Texas, University of Houston-Downtown admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 90%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,029. The graduation rate is roughly 33%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 90%
- Retention Rate
- 67%
- SAT Average
- 1029
- SAT Range
- 940–1110
- ACT Range
- 16–22
- Full-Time Faculty
- 54%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,421
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.60
- First-Gen Students
- 53%
- Applicants
- 6,131
- Admitted
- 5,421
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Houston-Downtown? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Houston-Downtown is $17,548, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $10,542. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,439 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,750 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $7,708
- Out-of-State
- $17,548
- Avg Net Price
- $10,542
- Median Debt
- $18,750
- Pell Grant Rate
- 55%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 30%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,439
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,048
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $11,247
- Family Income $110K+
- $19,380
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of Houston-Downtown — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Houston-Downtown Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Houston-Downtown earn a median of $53,551, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $49,120
- 8 Years
- $50,849
- 10 Years
- $53,551
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.35x
- Earning > $25K
- 72%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (82)
- 9%
- 100% (82)
- 9%
- 100% (82)
- 9%
- 100% (82)
- 9%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Houston-Downtown Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Houston-Downtown delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $10,542/year ($42,168 total). Graduates earn $53,551 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,179,569 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,137,401 (28.0× your investment). The median debt is $18,750, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 33% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $42,168
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,179,569
- Net Return
- $1,137,401
- ROI Multiple
- 28.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $10,542
- Median Debt
- $18,750
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 33%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-4,705,953
Top Programs
The fields University of Houston-Downtown awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 40% $59,507 early-career
- Psychology 10% $45,296 early-career
- Criminal Justice 8% $45,495 early-career
- Education 6% $62,904 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4% $68,105 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4% $34,625 early-career
- Health Professions 3% $38,107 early-career
- Social Sciences 3% $40,390 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Houston-Downtown's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Houston-Downtown? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Houston, Texas, University of Houston-Downtown admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 90%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,029. The graduation rate is roughly 33%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Houston-Downtown? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Houston-Downtown is $17,548, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $10,542. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,439 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,750 in federal student loans.
Is University of Houston-Downtown Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Houston-Downtown earn a median of $53,551, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is University of Houston-Downtown? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Houston-Downtown. Its economic connectedness score is 1.45, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Houston-Downtown.
- California State University-Dominguez HillsCarson, CA · Close peer45% grad $57,162 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha, NE · Close peer47% grad $53,909 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Portland State UniversityPortland, OR · Close peer53% grad $57,906 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- East Texas A&M UniversityCommerce, TX · Close peer44% grad $50,296 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · same state
- Tarleton State UniversityStephenville, TX · Close peer50% grad $53,040 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Georgia State University-Perimeter CollegeAtlanta, GA · Close peer22% grad $47,384 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Houston-Downtown? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Houston-Downtown. Its economic connectedness score is 1.45, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note