Head-to-head comparison
University of Houston-Downtown vs Texas A&M University-San Antonio: which has better ROI?
Option A Houston, TX
University of Houston-Downtown
- Net price / year
- $10,542
- Earnings, 10 years
- $53,551
- Payback
- 8.1 yrs
Option B San Antonio, TX
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
- Net price / year
- $11,196
- Earnings, 10 years
- $54,338
- Payback
- 7.5 yrs
Texas A&M University-San Antonio has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $44,784 in 7.5 years versus 8.1 years at University of Houston-Downtown, on median earnings of $54,338 vs $53,551 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Houston-Downtown | Texas A&M University-San Antonio |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,542 | $11,196 |
| Total net cost | $42,168 | $44,784 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,551 | $54,338 |
| Median debt | $18,750 | $18,401 |
| Payback | 8.1 yrs | 7.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $61,652 | $74,776 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Houston-Downtown or Texas A&M University-San Antonio?
University of Houston-Downtown, at $10,542 a year after aid versus $11,196 — a gap of $654 a year, or $2,616 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 University of Houston-Downtown or Texas A&M University-San Antonio graduates earn more?
Texas A&M University-San Antonio graduates report a median $54,338 ten years after entry, $787 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, University of Houston-Downtown or Texas A&M University-San Antonio?
Texas A&M University-San Antonio: its completers carry a median $18,401 in federal loans versus $18,750 at University of Houston-Downtown, a difference of $349. 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?
40% of students finish at Texas A&M University-San Antonio, 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.