University of Houston vs West Coast University-Texas: which has better ROI?
West Coast University-Texas has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $212,080 in 3.9 years versus 4.1 years at University of Houston, on median earnings of $102,672 vs $62,377 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Houston | West Coast University-Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,276 | $53,020 |
| Total net cost | $57,104 | $212,080 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,377 | $102,672 |
| Median debt | $18,194 | $32,946 |
| Payback | 4.1 yrs | 3.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $223,236 | $874,160 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Houston or West Coast University-Texas?
University of Houston, at $14,276 a year after aid versus $53,020 — a gap of $38,744 a year, or $154,976 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 West Coast University-Texas graduates earn more?
West Coast University-Texas graduates report a median $102,672 ten years after entry, $40,295 more than the $62,377 at University of Houston. 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 West Coast University-Texas?
University of Houston: its completers carry a median $18,194 in federal loans versus $32,946 at West Coast University-Texas, a difference of $14,752. 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 31% at West Coast University-Texas. 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.