Median Earnings (1yr)
$80,438
57th percentile (60th in TX)
Median Debt
$21,582
12% below national median
Debt-to-Earnings
0.27
Manageable
Sample Size
34
Adequate data

Analysis

University of Houston's Computer Engineering program delivers solid starting salaries at $80,438—above both the national and Texas medians—while keeping debt manageable at $21,582. That 0.27 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates earn nearly four dollars for every dollar borrowed, which is strong for any engineering program. The school's 70% admission rate and above-average Pell grant population (41%) suggest this program offers genuine upward mobility without requiring elite credentials to get in.

Within Texas, UH lands in the middle of the pack, trailing flagship programs like Texas A&M ($86,366) and Texas Tech ($85,619) by about $5,000-6,000 annually. That gap isn't trivial over a career, but UH's lower admission barriers and comparable debt levels make the tradeoff reasonable. You're paying less on the front end (both in admission requirements and likely tuition) while still accessing Houston's robust tech and energy sectors for internships and early-career opportunities.

The value proposition here is straightforward: this is a reliable path into computer engineering without the pressure of top-tier admissions or crushing debt. If your child can get into more selective programs like UT Austin or A&M, those may offer higher long-term earnings potential. But for students who want strong engineering training in a major tech hub with manageable financial risk, UH delivers exactly what it promises.

Where University of Houston Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all computer engineering bachelors's programs nationally

University of HoustonOther computer engineering programs

Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.

Earnings Distribution

How University of Houston graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of Houston graduates earn $80k, placing them in the 57th percentile of all computer engineering bachelors programs nationally.

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Computer Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (16 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of Houston$80,438—$21,5820.27
Texas A&M University-College Station$86,366$104,901$22,8160.26
Texas Tech University$85,619$96,395$27,0000.32
The University of Texas at Arlington$81,226$101,060$20,8330.26
University of North Texas$78,714$96,651$23,2350.30
The University of Texas at Dallas$77,609$98,131$21,0000.27
National Median$78,952—$24,5000.31

Other Computer Engineering Programs in Texas

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Texas schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
Texas A&M University-College Station
College Station
$13,099$86,366$22,816
Texas Tech University
Lubbock
$11,852$85,619$27,000
The University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington
$11,728$81,226$20,833
University of North Texas
Denton
$11,164$78,714$23,235
The University of Texas at Dallas
Richardson
$14,564$77,609$21,000

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, approximately 41% 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 34 graduates with reported earnings and 28 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.