Business at University of Houston-Downtown

Houston, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Business/Commerce, General
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
73
Optimistic
73
Base Case
68
Pessimistic
Earnings $47,469/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)
ROI 18.7x earnings multiple (8.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #18 of 242 Business/Commerce, General programs Top 10%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Business graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $585K $577K $526K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.0x 18.7x 17.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.2x 8.1x 7.4x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 73 73 68

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,832
Out-of-state: $71,152 (8.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,492
-90% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,099
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,971
35% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $47,469/yr, roughly in line with the $48,211 national median for Business. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 18.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 10% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $47,469 far exceeding the $20,099 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #18 of 242 programs, this Business program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

A 35% earnings increase from $47,469 to $63,971 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Houston-Downtown

University of Houston-Downtown accepts 91% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 12,812 students in Houston, TX. With 52% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Houston-Downtown →

Top Career Paths

Chief executives $206,420/yr
Sales managers $138,060/yr
Managers, all other $136,550/yr
View all 16 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Business at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Houston-Downtown

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 73/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business at University of Houston-Downtown?
At 73/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Business at University of Houston-Downtown?
The 46% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →