Head-to-head comparison
University of Houston-Downtown vs Texas Christian University: 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 Fort Worth, TX
Texas Christian University
- Net price / year
- $36,660
- Earnings, 10 years
- $68,424
- Payback
- 7.3 yrs
Texas Christian University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $146,640 in 7.3 years versus 8.1 years at University of Houston-Downtown, on median earnings of $68,424 vs $53,551 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Houston-Downtown | Texas Christian University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,542 | $36,660 |
| Total net cost | $42,168 | $146,640 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,551 | $68,424 |
| Median debt | $18,750 | $21,500 |
| Payback | 8.1 yrs | 7.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $61,652 | $254,640 |
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 Christian University?
University of Houston-Downtown, at $10,542 a year after aid versus $36,660 — a gap of $26,118 a year, or $104,472 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 Christian University graduates earn more?
Texas Christian University graduates report a median $68,424 ten years after entry, $14,873 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 Christian University?
University of Houston-Downtown: its completers carry a median $18,750 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Texas Christian University, a difference of $2,750. 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?
86% of students finish at Texas Christian 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.