University of Houston-Downtown ROI Analysis
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
above 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 after ten years, earnings reach $53,551. The median debt for graduates is $18,750, and 30.5% of students receive financial aid.
Based on the provided data, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.40 for the first year after graduation. The debt-to-income ratio is calculated by dividing the median debt by the first-year earnings.
Given the tuition cost and first-year earnings, the break-even point, or the time it takes to earn back the tuition cost, is less than one year. This is calculated by dividing the tuition cost by the first-year earnings.
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
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $75,467 | 2525% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $53,235 | 1083% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $87,862 | 3329% |
| Accounting and Related Services | $60,344 | 1544% |
| Psychology, General | $48,601 | 782% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $61,702 | 1632% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $78,762 | 2739% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $48,488 | 775% |
| Business/Commerce, General | $56,481 | 1293% |
| Public Health | $0 | N/A |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $63,723 | 1763% |
| Statistics | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
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.