University Of Houston-Downtown combines open-access admission with exceptional economic mobility outcomes, ranking in the 96.1st percentile nationally for mobility performance. Students achieve earnings $12,765 beyond expectations while maintaining manageable debt levels, creating sustainable pathways to financial stability for diverse populations including 51.6% Pell-eligible students.
With above-average tier performance, indicating solid long-term value despite moderate median earnings levels
With strong tier performance, reflecting controlled costs and substantial financial aid support that reduces net prices significantly below published rates
With excellent tier performance, reflecting the university's exceptional ability to convert educational access into economic advancement for diverse student populations
With excellent tier performance, reflecting the university's exceptional ability to convert educational access into economic advancement for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisTop-tier mobility performance with open access
University Of Houston-Downtown ranks #83 nationally in Azimuth's analysis, demonstrating excellent performance in mobility at the 96.1st percentile. Located in Houston, Texas, this large public institution maintains an open-access admission policy with a 90.6% acceptance rate while delivering strong economic outcomes for diverse student populations.
University Of Houston-Downtown enrolls 51.6% Pell-eligible students and 52.7% first-generation students, positioning it well above typical institutions on access measures. The university also serves 63.6% transfer students, reflecting its role as a pathway institution.
Graduates earn $12,765 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 88.9th percentile nationally for earnings uplift. Median earnings reach $53,551 ten years after enrollment, around the national average at the 52nd percentile.
However, when combined with controlled debt levels of $18,750 and strong financial aid support, University Of Houston-Downtown represents exceptional value for students seeking economic advancement through higher education.
University Of Houston-Downtown delivers strong value through the combination of manageable costs and above-average earnings growth for graduates. Students pay an average net price of $14,623 after financial aid, which represents $8,394 in savings from the $23,017 published cost of attendance.
Median student debt remains at $18,750, resulting in a favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35. Graduates earn $12,765 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing the institution in the 88.9th percentile for earnings uplift.
Students seeking affordable higher education with strong economic mobility outcomes, particularly transfer students and first-generation college students. Well-suited for those prioritizing accessible admission, manageable debt levels, and above-average earnings growth in business, criminal justice, and interdisciplinary fields in the Houston metropolitan area.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the University Of Houston-Downtown hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-houston-downtown/analysis.
University Of Houston-Downtown admits 90.6% of applicants, meaning roughly 9 in 10 applicants receive offers of admission. This open-access admission policy places University Of Houston-Downtown among the most accessible four-year institutions nationally, with admission rates in the top 8% for accessibility.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates that even among similar institutions, University Of Houston-Downtown maintains exceptionally broad access to higher education. This level of accessibility means that most students with basic college preparation can expect admission, though academic preparation still matters for success once enrolled.
Students should view University Of Houston-Downtown as a reliable option for college access while focusing their application preparation on demonstrating readiness for college-level coursework. The university's mission emphasizes serving diverse student populations, including transfer students (63.6% of enrollment) and first-generation college students (52.7% of enrollment).
For students seeking guaranteed access to higher education with strong post-graduation economic outcomes, University Of Houston-Downtown represents an excellent combination of accessibility and value. Prospective students should concentrate on academic preparation for success rather than admission strategy, as the institution's open-access policy removes typical admission barriers.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University Of Houston-Downtown's published cost of attendance is $23,017 per year, consisting of $17,788 in out-of-state tuition (in-state residents pay $7,708), minimal room and board costs reflecting the commuter-focused student body, and $1,296 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $14,623 after financial aid, representing $8,394 in savings from the published price.
This net price positions the university close to peer institutions, with costs $967 above the peer median of $15,590. The university's financial aid effectiveness varies significantly by family income, with low-income students receiving the most substantial support.
Net prices range from $13,486 for families earning under $30,000 annually to $22,498 for families earning over $110,000, creating a progressive cost structure that supports accessibility for lower-income students. The moderate cost structure combined with strong earnings beyond expectations creates favorable return on investment dynamics, particularly for students from families with limited financial resources.
University Of Houston-Downtown's urban location and commuter focus help control living costs compared to residential institutions, contributing to overall affordability for regional students.
University Of Houston-Downtown graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth and strong economic mobility outcomes. Median earnings increase from $49,120 six years after enrollment to $50,849 at eight years and $53,551 at ten years, representing 9.0% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 5,025 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $12,765 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing University Of Houston-Downtown in the 88.9th percentile for earnings uplift performance.
This significant positive difference reflects the university's effectiveness in helping students achieve economic advancement beyond what demographic and academic preparation would typically predict. Low-income graduates earn $45,900, demonstrating strong outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds who comprise over half the student body.
Earnings outcomes span from $30,812 at the 25th percentile to $72,505 at the 75th percentile, reflecting the diversity of career paths and program choices available. Approximately 24.0% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
Artificial Intelligence.
106 graduates
Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other.
14 graduates
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians.
11 graduates
Information Resources Management.
70 graduates
Hazardous Materials Information Systems Technology/Technician.
19 graduates
University Of Houston-Downtown offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for evaluation. Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies ranks #11 nationally and #3 in Texas, graduating 741 students with median earnings of $53,235 and an exceptional value score of 88.2.
Artificial Intelligence ranks #98 nationally and #10 in Texas, producing 106 graduates with the highest median earnings of $78,762. Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping ranks #108 nationally and #10 in Texas, graduating 252 students with median earnings of $60,344 and a strong value score of 61.1.
Corrections Administration ranks #51 nationally and #2 in Texas, graduating 223 students with median earnings of $50,850 and a value score of 73.8. Business Administration and Management graduates 174 students annually with median earnings of $60,148.
The university's largest programs demonstrate both scale and quality, with flagship programs serving substantial student populations while maintaining competitive outcomes and strong value scores across multiple fields.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
California State University-Bakersfield Similar quality tier (#81 ranked) | CA | 88% | $59,009 | #81 | Compare |
Farmingdale State College Similar quality tier (#83 ranked) | NY | 69% | $69,781 | #83 | Compare |
Cuny New York City College Of Technology Similar quality tier (#79 ranked) | NY | 81% | $49,365 | #79 | Compare |
Louisiana State University And Agricultural & Mechanical College Similar quality tier in Southwest (#78 ranked) | LA | 74% | $61,251 | #78 | Compare |
University Of Wisconsin-Madison Similar quality tier (#77 ranked) | WI | 43% | $73,792 | #77 | Compare |