Biological and Physical Sciences at University of Houston-Downtown

University of Houston-Downtown's biological and physical sciences program stands out for its impressive earnings trajectory. Graduates earning $36,000 initially see that figure jump 40% to over $50,000 by year four—substantially stronger growth than many science programs manage. Starting at the Texas median for this degree, grads climb well above it within a few years. The $25,162 debt load is manageable at 70% of first-year earnings, meaning most graduates should be able to handle payments without serious financial strain.

The context matters here: UH-Downtown serves a predominantly working-class student population (52% receive Pell grants), yet delivers outcomes that outpace 60% of comparable Texas programs. While this isn't a research powerhouse like UT-Austin, it's doing something right in terms of career preparation. The program sits squarely in the middle of the national pack initially but the strong earnings growth suggests graduates are finding decent opportunities in Houston's diverse economy, likely in technical roles, healthcare support, or industrial sectors.

For families looking at affordable science education in Houston, this represents solid value. The debt is reasonable, the initial earnings cover basic expenses, and the four-year trajectory shows meaningful career progression. It's not going to lead to medical school or PhD programs for most students, but that's not its mission—it's preparing graduates for gainful employment, and the numbers suggest it's succeeding at that goal.