University of Houston-Downtown vs Texas Southern University: 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 Texas Southern University, on median earnings of $53,551 vs $38,924 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Houston-Downtown | Texas Southern University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,542 | $16,590 |
| Total net cost | $42,168 | $66,360 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,551 | $38,924 |
| Median debt | $18,750 | $29,000 |
| Payback | 8.1 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $61,652 | -$255,080 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Houston-Downtown or Texas Southern University?
University of Houston-Downtown, at $10,542 a year after aid versus $16,590 — a gap of $6,048 a year, or $24,192 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 Texas Southern University graduates earn more?
University of Houston-Downtown graduates report a median $53,551 ten years after entry, $14,627 more than the $38,924 at Texas Southern University. 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 Texas Southern University?
University of Houston-Downtown: its completers carry a median $18,750 in federal loans versus $29,000 at Texas Southern University, a difference of $10,250. 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 22% at Texas Southern University. 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.