University of Houston vs University of Houston-Downtown: which has better ROI?
University of Houston has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $57,104 in 4.1 years versus 8.1 years at University of Houston-Downtown, on median earnings of $62,377 vs $53,551 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Houston | University of Houston-Downtown |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,276 | $10,542 |
| Total net cost | $57,104 | $42,168 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,377 | $53,551 |
| Median debt | $18,194 | $18,750 |
| Payback | 4.1 yrs | 8.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $223,236 | $61,652 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Houston or University of Houston-Downtown?
University of Houston-Downtown, at $10,542 a year after aid versus $14,276 — a gap of $3,734 a year, or $14,936 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 or University of Houston-Downtown graduates earn more?
University of Houston graduates report a median $62,377 ten years after entry, $8,826 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 or University of Houston-Downtown?
University of Houston: its completers carry a median $18,194 in federal loans versus $18,750 at University of Houston-Downtown, a difference of $556. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
65% of students finish at University of Houston, 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.