University of Houston — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Houston charges a net price of $14,276/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $57,104. Graduates earn a median $62,377 ten years after entry, $14,017/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.1 years — a 20-year net return of $223,236, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Houston's 4.1-year payback ranks #306 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 76% of them, and #9 of 213 in Texas.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $14,276/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $57,104 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $62,377 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $14,017/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $18,194 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 4.1 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $223,236 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Houston's own numbers. Net price $14,276 × 4 years = $57,104 total. Median earnings $62,377 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $14,017 a year of premium. $57,104 ÷ $14,017 = 4.1 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $223,236. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of Houston students graduate with?
A median $18,194 in federal loans among completers, or 29% of the $62,377 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Houston students graduate?
65% finish their degree — 35% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $57,104 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $87,852 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Houston expensive compared with other Texas colleges?
Its $14,276 net price runs $5,083 below the $19,359 median across the 213 Texas colleges we profile, and $20,332 less across the full degree.