Est. Earnings (1yr)Estimated
$55,819
Est. from national median (20 programs)
Est. Median DebtEstimated
$22,394
Est. from national median (13 programs)

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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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
University of Houston-DowntownHouston$7,708$55,819*$22,394*
University of North TexasDenton$11,164$59,022*$77,689$21,204*0.36
National Median$55,819*$22,728*0.41
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with insurance graduates

Compensation and Benefits Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.

$140,360/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Insurance Underwriters

Review individual applications for insurance to evaluate degree of risk involved and determine acceptance of applications.

$79,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists

Conduct programs of compensation and benefits and job analysis for employer. May specialize in specific areas, such as position classification and pension programs.

$77,020/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators

Review settled claims to determine that payments and settlements are made in accordance with company practices and procedures. Confer with legal counsel on claims requiring litigation. May also settle insurance claims.

$76,790/yrJobs growth:

Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage

Appraise automobile or other vehicle damage to determine repair costs for insurance claim settlement. Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost or cost estimates and recommendations. May seek agreement with automotive repair shop on repair costs.

$76,790/yrJobs growth:

Insurance Sales Agents

Sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive, or other types of insurance. May refer clients to independent brokers, work as an independent broker, or be employed by an insurance company.

$60,370/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Appraisers of Personal and Business Property

Appraise and estimate the fair value of tangible personal or business property, such as jewelry, art, antiques, collectibles, and equipment. May also appraise land.

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.