Analysis
A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 suggests a manageable financial picture—engineering graduates from comparable programs nationwide typically earn around $68,000 in their first year while carrying roughly $26,000 in debt. That's about what Houston Christian's engineering students might expect, making the degree repayable within a reasonable timeframe even if salaries don't accelerate dramatically. With over half the student body receiving Pell grants, this accessibility matters: engineering remains one of the more reliable paths to middle-class earnings for students from modest backgrounds.
The limitation here is uncertainty. Because this school's engineering cohort is too small for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes, these figures come from national peer programs. Texas engineering programs show some variation—TCU graduates report starting around $74,000 while Mary Hardin-Baylor's come in closer to $64,000—so there's no guarantee Houston Christian falls exactly at the national median. The estimated debt of $26,500 also sits slightly above the Texas median of $23,000, though still well within manageable range for engineering salaries.
For families weighing this investment, the fundamentals look sound based on comparable programs, but you're making that decision with less certainty than you'd have at larger Texas engineering schools with published data. If your student thrives in smaller environments and values Houston Christian's faith-based mission, the financial risk appears moderate—just recognize you're trusting pattern data rather than this program's proven track record.
Where Houston Christian University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all engineering bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (14 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $38,100 | $67,911* | — | $26,459* | — | |
| $57,220 | $73,774* | $89,278 | $22,944* | 0.31 | |
| $33,150 | $63,830* | — | —* | — | |
| National Median | — | $67,911* | — | $26,056* | 0.38 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with engineering graduates
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Engineers, All Other
Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
Mechatronics Engineers
Microsystems Engineers
Photonics Engineers
Robotics Engineers
Nanosystems Engineers
Wind Energy Engineers
Solar Energy Systems Engineers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Houston Christian University, approximately 54% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 47 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.