Analysis
University of Houston-Downtown's Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies program delivers strong earning potential that significantly outperforms national expectations, though comes with higher debt than typical Texas programs. Graduates earn $49,734 in their first year—placing this program in the 87th percentile nationally and well above the national median of $38,704. However, within Texas, the program ranks more modestly at the 60th percentile, earning slightly above the state median of $48,381.
The debt picture presents a mixed story. While graduates carry $28,237 in debt compared to Texas's typical $24,038 for this field, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 remains manageable—meaning students can expect to earn nearly twice their debt load in their first year. The program also shows steady earnings growth, with salaries increasing 7% by year four to $53,235.
This program represents solid value for students seeking broad, flexible education with strong career prospects. The earnings significantly exceed what most interdisciplinary studies programs deliver nationally, though they trail behind top Texas performers like Texas Southern ($57,511) and University of Houston ($56,904). Given UH-Downtown's 91% admission rate and that 52% of students receive Pell grants, this program offers accessible entry to above-average earning potential, making the slightly higher debt load a reasonable trade-off for most families.
Where University of Houston-Downtown Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all multi/interdisciplinary studies bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How University of Houston-Downtown graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Houston-Downtown | $49,734 | $53,235 | +7% |
| Texas Southern University | $57,511 | $53,527 | -7% |
| University of North Texas | $53,733 | $53,283 | -1% |
| University of Houston | $56,904 | $53,107 | -7% |
| University of Houston-Clear Lake | $56,645 | $53,078 | -6% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (55 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of Houston-DowntownHouston | $7,708 | $49,734 | $53,235 | $28,237 | 0.57 |
 Texas Southern UniversityHouston | $9,173 | $57,511 | $53,527 | $37,125 | 0.65 |
 University of HoustonHouston | $9,711 | $56,904 | $53,107 | $21,500 | 0.38 |
 University of Houston-Clear LakeHouston | $7,746 | $56,645 | $53,078 | $20,904 | 0.37 |
 Texas Woman's UniversityDenton | $8,648 | $54,038 | $51,475 | $21,668 | 0.40 |
 University of North TexasDenton | $11,164 | $53,733 | $53,283 | $23,573 | 0.44 |
| National Median | — | $38,704 | — | $25,495 | 0.66 |
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.
Sample Size: Based on 1034 graduates with reported earnings and 1006 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.