University of Houston-Downtown
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$30,832
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$14,120/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
2.2 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
816%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The University of Houston-Downtown has an in-state tuition of $7,708. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $47,105. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $49,120, and ten years after graduation, earnings reach $53,551. The median debt for graduates is $18,750, and 30.5% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio for graduates can be calculated using the median debt and the one-year earnings. The ratio is approximately 0.40, indicating that the median debt is about 40% of the first year's earnings.
Based on the provided data, a rough estimate of the break-even timeline can be calculated. With a tuition cost of $7,708 and a first-year salary of $47,105, the tuition cost is recovered in less than a year.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$7,708
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,750
Median Earnings (5yr)
$49,120
Graduation Rate
32%
Receive Financial Aid
31%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | $30,832 | $53,235 | 1083% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $30,832 | $75,467 | 2525% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $30,832 | $0 | N/A |
| Accounting and Related Services. | $30,832 | $60,344 | 1544% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | $30,832 | $50,850 | 928% |
| Psychology, General. | $30,832 | $48,601 | 782% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $30,832 | $60,148 | 1531% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | $30,832 | $61,702 | 1632% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $30,832 | $78,762 | 2739% |
| Communication and Media Studies. | $30,832 | $48,488 | 775% |
| Business/Commerce, General. | $30,832 | $56,481 | 1293% |
| Public Health. | $30,832 | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.