Baylor University vs University of Houston-Downtown: which has better ROI?
University of Houston-Downtown has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $42,168 in 8.1 years versus 9.4 years at Baylor University, on median earnings of $53,551 vs $65,793 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Baylor University | University of Houston-Downtown |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $41,104 | $10,542 |
| Total net cost | $164,416 | $42,168 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $65,793 | $53,551 |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $18,750 |
| Payback | 9.4 yrs | 8.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $184,244 | $61,652 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Baylor University or University of Houston-Downtown?
University of Houston-Downtown, at $10,542 a year after aid versus $41,104 — a gap of $30,562 a year, or $122,248 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Baylor University or University of Houston-Downtown graduates earn more?
Baylor University graduates report a median $65,793 ten years after entry, $12,242 more than the $53,551 at University of Houston-Downtown. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Baylor University or University of Houston-Downtown?
University of Houston-Downtown: its completers carry a median $18,750 in federal loans versus $23,000 at Baylor University, a difference of $4,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
80% of students finish at Baylor University, against 33% at University of Houston-Downtown. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.