International Business at University of Houston-Downtown

Houston, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
67 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
68
Optimistic
67
Base Case
62
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,911/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (51% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (447,200 openings/yr)
ROI 19.0x earnings multiple (8.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #36 of 103 International Business programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $595K $584K $528K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.3x 19.0x 17.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.4x 8.2x 7.4x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 44% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 68 67 62

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 (8.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,492
-90% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,000
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,587
52% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $41,911 place University of Houston-Downtown below the $50,501 national median for International Business — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 19.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI International Business programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in International Business's typical career paths, with 51% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $41,911 far exceeding the $14,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #36 of 103 International Business programs, University of Houston-Downtown scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $63,587 show a 52% jump from the $41,911 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

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
General and operations managers $102,950/yr
Business teachers, postsecondary $97,270/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

International 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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for International Business at University of Houston-Downtown?
A score of 67/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the International Business field.
Will AI replace International Business careers?
With 51% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $528,138 in decade earnings vs $595,158 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with International Business from University of Houston-Downtown?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →