Based on U.S. Department of Education data (October 2025 release). Some figures are estimates based on similar programs — see details below.
Analysis
In Texas, insurance bachelor's programs typically launch graduates toward $59,000 in first-year earnings, and University of Houston-Downtown's estimated outcomes suggest a trajectory roughly 5% below that state benchmark. With comparable programs nationally pointing to around $56,000 in starting pay against an estimated $22,400 in debt, the 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio falls well within manageable territory—you're looking at debt equal to about five months of gross income rather than a year or more.
What makes this estimate particularly relevant for UHD is the school's accessibility profile: over half the student body receives Pell grants, meaning many families here are weighing college as a path to middle-class stability rather than wealth building. Insurance careers offer exactly that kind of steady foundation, with relatively predictable advancement and strong employer demand in Houston's diverse economy. The field isn't glamorous, but it's reliably employable—risk management, underwriting, and claims positions proliferate in a major metro area.
The caveat is that these are peer-school estimates, not tracked outcomes from UHD's own graduates, so you're banking on this program performing comparably to others nationally. Given the straightforward curriculum requirements in insurance education and UHD's urban location near employers, that's a reasonable assumption, but it's not guaranteed. For a family looking at practical ROI with moderate debt exposure, the math works—just understand you're making the decision with imperfect information.
Where University of Houston-Downtown Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all insurance bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Insurance bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (4 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $7,708 | $55,819* | — | $22,394* | — | |
| $11,164 | $59,022* | $77,689 | $21,204* | 0.36 | |
| National Median | — | $55,819* | — | $22,728* | 0.41 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with insurance graduates
Compensation and Benefits Managers
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Insurance Underwriters
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage
Insurance Sales Agents
Appraisers of Personal and Business Property
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 University of Houston-Downtown, approximately 52% 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 20 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.