Civil Engineering at University of Houston

University of Houston's civil engineering program punches well above its weight, delivering first-year earnings of $74,822—substantially higher than both the state median ($67,832) and the national median ($69,574). While it ranks in the 60th percentile among Texas programs, that's because it's competing directly with flagship schools like UT Austin and Texas A&M, trailing them by only about $1,000 in starting salaries. More impressively, UH charges significantly less debt than the national median ($18,000 vs. $24,500), resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.24—meaning graduates owe less than three months' salary.

The program serves a notably diverse student body (41% receive Pell grants) while maintaining strong employment outcomes, with earnings climbing to $82,614 by year four. For families weighing options between UH and pricier flagship programs, the calculus is straightforward: graduates here earn nearly as much as their peers from more selective schools but carry substantially less debt. That combination of strong earnings potential and low debt burden makes this an excellent value, especially for Houston-area families who could save additional money living at home while attending a program that clearly has strong industry connections in the nation's energy capital.