Head-to-head comparison
Texas State University vs University of Houston-Downtown: which has better ROI?
Option A San Marcos, TX
Texas State University
- Net price / year
- $16,805
- Earnings, 10 years
- $56,906
- Payback
- 7.9 yrs
Option B Houston, TX
University of Houston-Downtown
- Net price / year
- $10,542
- Earnings, 10 years
- $53,551
- Payback
- 8.1 yrs
Texas State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $67,220 in 7.9 years versus 8.1 years at University of Houston-Downtown, on median earnings of $56,906 vs $53,551 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Texas State University | University of Houston-Downtown |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,805 | $10,542 |
| Total net cost | $67,220 | $42,168 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,906 | $53,551 |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $18,750 |
| Payback | 7.9 yrs | 8.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $103,700 | $61,652 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Texas State University or University of Houston-Downtown?
University of Houston-Downtown, at $10,542 a year after aid versus $16,805 — a gap of $6,263 a year, or $25,052 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Texas State University or University of Houston-Downtown graduates earn more?
Texas State University graduates report a median $56,906 ten years after entry, $3,355 more than the $53,551 at University of Houston-Downtown. 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Texas State University or University of Houston-Downtown?
University of Houston-Downtown: its completers carry a median $18,750 in federal loans versus $21,000 at Texas State University, a difference of $2,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
55% of students finish at Texas State University, against 33% at University of Houston-Downtown. 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.