University of Houston-Downtown is a public 4-year college in Houston, Texas with 12,555 undergraduates. It admits 90% of applicants, costs an average of $9,828 a year after grants and graduates 31% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
University of Houston-Downtown acceptance rate and admissions
University of Houston-Downtown admitted 90% of applicants for fall 2024. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Considered but not required (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
The colored band is the middle 50% of enrolled students in fall 2024 (reading and writing 480 to 560, math 460 to 550). The tick marks the typical 4-year college. Check how your scores fit.
University of Houston-Downtown tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees, in-state (2025-26) | $7,708 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state (2025-26) | $17,428 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $18,864 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $9,828 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $9,828 a year after grants and scholarships, $9,036 less than the full cost of attendance. This figure covers in-state students.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students paying in-state tuition, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run University of Houston-Downtown's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
University of Houston-Downtown graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 31% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $57,404 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $18,750 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 33% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
University of Houston-Downtown majors and what graduates earn
University of Houston-Downtown awarded bachelor's degrees in 40 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from computer engineering technologies/technicians ($112,244).
All 40 majors at University of Houston-Downtown
| Major | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 18 | $79,102 | $112,244 | n/a |
| Insurance | 27 | $70,256 | $98,510 | $24,500 |
| Computer and information sciences | 116 | $62,664 | $72,528 | $17,750 |
| Business administration | 227 | $55,949 | $69,712 | $17,832 |
| Accounting | 242 | $57,075 | $67,499 | $18,000 |
| Management information systems | 104 | $63,015 | $66,881 | $19,000 |
| Finance | 145 | $56,883 | $66,591 | $13,893 |
| International business | 49 | $42,594 | $66,556 | $15,321 |
| Mathematics | 11 | $51,063 | $62,576 | n/a |
| Marketing | 78 | $48,141 | $61,866 | $16,838 |
| Interdisciplinary studies, other | 5 | $54,085 | $59,924 | $18,917 |
| Political science | 30 | $51,648 | $59,261 | $21,125 |
| Business | 183 | $58,421 | $59,188 | $21,500 |
| Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians | 19 | $54,928 | $58,535 | n/a |
| Geology and earth sciences | 17 | $49,314 | $57,892 | n/a |
| Biological and physical sciences | 27 | $50,752 | $56,995 | n/a |
| Communication | 88 | $47,207 | $56,903 | $18,125 |
| Biology | 92 | $41,030 | $56,787 | $19,661 |
| Social work | 95 | $41,130 | $54,784 | $21,615 |
| Criminal justice | 229 | $43,188 | $53,589 | $19,143 |
| History | 42 | $46,413 | $53,555 | $16,991 |
| Public health | 48 | $39,900 | $52,438 | $17,133 |
| Psychology | 283 | $42,448 | $48,234 | $19,047 |
| Sociology | 22 | $50,849 | $46,106 | $18,750 |
| English | 35 | $42,381 | $45,223 | $21,318 |
| Art and design, general | 21 | $28,831 | $37,668 | $18,625 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | 257 | n/a | n/a | $19,875 |
| Education | 193 | n/a | n/a | $16,380 |
| Nursing | 53 | $99,177 | n/a | $9,750 |
| Data science | 27 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Chemistry | 26 | $52,996 | n/a | $15,354 |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 24 | $65,918 | n/a | n/a |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 14 | $46,513 | n/a | n/a |
| Liberal arts and general studies | 14 | $35,371 | n/a | n/a |
| Social Sciences, General | 14 | $47,739 | n/a | n/a |
| Human resources | 14 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Biotechnology | 13 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Romance languages | 7 | $43,844 | n/a | n/a |
| Philosophy | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Applied Statistics | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at University of Houston-Downtown
8 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
Show 8 graduate programs
| Program | Degree | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business administration | Master's | 259 | $80,660 | $41,000 |
| Accounting | Master's | 64 | n/a | $21,063 |
| Data analytics | Master's | 58 | $91,443 | $30,875 |
| Criminal justice | Master's | 57 | $70,563 | $41,000 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | Master's | 21 | $63,323 | n/a |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | Master's | 10 | n/a | n/a |
| Public relations and advertising | Master's | 2 | n/a | n/a |
| Computer and information sciences | Master's | 2 | n/a | n/a |
Students and location
- 12,555 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 62% women, 38% men
- 18 students for every faculty member
- Setting: large city
- Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at University of Houston-Downtown?
University of Houston-Downtown admitted 90% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does University of Houston-Downtown cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $7,708 for in-state students and $17,428 for out-of-state students. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $9,828 a year in 2024-25.
What SAT score do you need for University of Houston-Downtown?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 480 to 560 in reading and writing and 460 to 550 in math, and 16 to 22 on the ACT. Scores inside these ranges are typical for admitted students.
Is University of Houston-Downtown test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, University of Houston-Downtown reported that test scores were: considered but not required. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at University of Houston-Downtown?
31% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do University of Houston-Downtown graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $57,404 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in Texas · colleges in Houston · University of Houston-Downtown on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.
