Chemistry at University of Houston-Downtown

Texas chemistry graduates typically carry around $21,000 in debt, so the estimated $20,791 burden here aligns closely with state norms—and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 suggests manageable repayment. With first-year earnings of $38,954, this program trails the state median by about $3,000, but that gap isn't necessarily alarming given UH-Downtown's mission serving working students and first-generation college-goers (52% receive Pell grants). The 26% earnings growth to $49,098 by year four shows solid career progression.

The real consideration is whether these outcomes justify a bachelor's degree investment when top chemistry programs in Texas—Houston, Texas A&M, UT Dallas—produce graduates earning $48,000-$51,000 right out of the gate. That's a $10,000-$12,000 annual difference that compounds over a career. For students who can access those flagship programs, the earnings advantage is substantial.

For families weighing this program specifically, the estimation caveat matters: the debt figure comes from comparable Texas programs, not tracked graduates from this exact chemistry degree. If your child is already Houston-based, working part-time, or prioritizing affordability and accessibility over maximum earning potential, the estimated debt load combined with steady career growth makes this workable. But if chemistry graduate school or research careers are the goal, the lower starting salary relative to peer programs deserves consideration.