University of Houston-Downtown vs Concordia University Texas: which has better ROI?
Concordia University Texas has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $92,524 in 7.4 years versus 8.1 years at University of Houston-Downtown, on median earnings of $60,883 vs $53,551 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Houston-Downtown | Concordia University Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,542 | $23,131 |
| Total net cost | $42,168 | $92,524 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,551 | $60,883 |
| Median debt | $18,750 | $21,852 |
| Payback | 8.1 yrs | 7.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $61,652 | $157,936 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Houston-Downtown or Concordia University Texas?
University of Houston-Downtown, at $10,542 a year after aid versus $23,131 — a gap of $12,589 a year, or $50,356 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Houston-Downtown or Concordia University Texas graduates earn more?
Concordia University Texas graduates report a median $60,883 ten years after entry, $7,332 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, University of Houston-Downtown or Concordia University Texas?
University of Houston-Downtown: its completers carry a median $18,750 in federal loans versus $21,852 at Concordia University Texas, a difference of $3,102. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
45% of students finish at Concordia University Texas, 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.