Houston City College 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 not at all at Houston City College, on median earnings of $53,551 vs $39,254 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Houston City College | University of Houston-Downtown |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,737 | $10,542 |
| Total net cost | $11,474 | $42,168 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $39,254 | $53,551 |
| Median debt | $13,921 | $18,750 |
| Payback | — | 8.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$193,594 | $61,652 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Houston City College or University of Houston-Downtown?
Houston City College, at $5,737 a year after aid versus $10,542 — a gap of $4,805 a year, or $30,694 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Houston City College or University of Houston-Downtown graduates earn more?
University of Houston-Downtown graduates report a median $53,551 ten years after entry, $14,297 more than the $39,254 at Houston City College. 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, Houston City College or University of Houston-Downtown?
Houston City College: its completers carry a median $13,921 in federal loans versus $18,750 at University of Houston-Downtown, a difference of $4,829. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
33% of students finish at University of Houston-Downtown, against 17% at Houston City College. 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.