Location: Houston, TX•In-State Tuition: $7,708•Out-of-State Tuition: $17,788•Admission Rate: 91%•Avg SAT: 1041
Median Earnings (1yr)
$19,527
13th percentile
10th percentile in Texas
Est. Median Debt
$21,500
Est. from TX median (3 programs)
Sample: 26 graduates Limited data

Where University of Houston-Downtown Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all visual and performing arts bachelors's programs nationally

University of Houston-Downtown (estimated ±10%)Other visual and performing arts programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How University of Houston-Downtown graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of Houston-Downtown earns $20k — 13th percentile among visual and performing arts bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of Houston-Downtown$19,527$21,782+12%
University of Florida$30,629$86,575+183%
University of Florida-Online$30,629$86,575+183%
The University of Texas at Dallas$28,494$39,055+37%
The University of Texas at Austin$29,707$32,436+9%

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Visual and Performing Arts bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (10 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
University of Houston-DowntownHouston$7,708$19,527$21,782$21,500*—
The University of Texas at AustinAustin$11,678$29,707$32,436$21,500*0.72
The University of Texas at DallasRichardson$14,564$28,494$39,055$21,196*0.74
National Median—$25,286—$26,083*1.03
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with visual and performing arts graduates

Art Directors

Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.

$111,040/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Effects Artists and Animators

Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

$99,800/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Graphic Designers

Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.

$61,300/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Craft Artists

Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft.

$56,260/yrJobs growth:

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators

Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.

$56,260/yrJobs growth:

Artists and Related Workers, All Other

All artists and related workers not listed separately.

$56,260/yrJobs growth:

Photographers

Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists.

$42,520/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent
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 26 graduates with reported earnings and 18 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.