Houston, TX · Private University
Is University of Houston Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$62,377
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$9,711
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$22,191
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$88,764
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.81x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
64.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$18,194
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$13,853
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Houston graduates earn $17,377 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Houston ranked by graduate earnings
93 graduates
283 graduates
41 graduates
70 graduates
229 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Houston
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Houston, the gap between the highest-earning major (Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering: $92,968) and the lowest (Radio, Television, and Digital Communication: $36,510) is $56,458/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringBest ROI | $92,968 | 4.2x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $92,271 | 4.2x |
| Industrial Engineering | $90,094 | 4.1x |
| Chemical Engineering | $87,883 | 4.0x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $87,358 | 3.9x |
| Petroleum Engineering | $84,507 | 3.8x |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $84,300 | 3.8x |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $83,531 | 3.8x |
| Civil Engineering | $82,614 | 3.7x |
| Computer Engineering(1yr data) | $80,438 | 3.6x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $80,209 | 3.6x |
| Computer Systems Analysis | $79,939 | 3.6x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $75,533 | 3.4x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $75,144 | 3.4x |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $73,848 | 3.3x |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $73,327 | 3.3x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $68,263 | 3.1x |
| Chemistry | $66,725 | 3.0x |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations | $64,385 | 2.9x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $64,099 | 2.9x |
| Biotechnology | $63,591 | 2.9x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $62,735 | 2.8x |
| Economics | $62,110 | 2.8x |
| Architecture | $58,472 | 2.6x |
| Business/Corporate Communications | $58,198 | 2.6x |
| Mathematics | $57,873 | 2.6x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $56,273 | 2.5x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $56,081 | 2.5x |
| Music | $55,639 | 2.5x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $54,250 | 2.4x |
| Marketing | $53,847 | 2.4x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $53,107 | 2.4x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations(1yr data) | $52,752 | 2.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $52,679 | 2.4x |
| History | $50,957 | 2.3x |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services | $50,613 | 2.3x |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $50,449 | 2.3x |
| Sociology | $49,979 | 2.3x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $49,794 | 2.2x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $47,703 | 2.1x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $47,702 | 2.1x |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $47,425 | 2.1x |
| Biology, General | $47,168 | 2.1x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $46,619 | 2.1x |
| Psychology, General | $46,311 | 2.1x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $46,126 | 2.1x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $45,943 | 2.1x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $45,667 | 2.1x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $45,141 | 2.0x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $44,486 | 2.0x |
| Journalism | $42,967 | 1.9x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $40,901 | 1.8x |
| Anthropology | $40,865 | 1.8x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital CommunicationLowest | $36,510 | 1.6x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Houston | 2.81x | $62,377 | Strong ROI |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College | 2.14x | $61,251 | Strong ROI |
| Texas A&M University-College Station | 1.79x | $72,097 | Good ROI |
| The University of Alabama | 1.78x | $59,221 | Good ROI |
| Texas Tech University | 2.55x | $62,454 | Strong ROI |
| The University of Texas at Dallas | 1.70x | $68,227 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
University of Houston stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $62,377 10 years after starting — $17,377 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.2 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.