Mechanical Engineering at University of Houston

University of Houston's mechanical engineering program lands graduates in a strong position without requiring elite credentials or crushing debt. Starting at $74,043 and climbing to $87,358 within four years, UH engineers earn above the national median and substantially more than the typical Texas mechanical engineering grad (who starts around $67,000). That 60th percentile ranking among Texas programs means you're outearning graduates from roughly half the state's engineering schools—including some with tougher admissions.

The $20,000 median debt tells an important story about accessibility and value. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27, graduates owe roughly three months' salary, leaving room for living expenses and savings right out of the gate. Compare this to elite programs like Rice or UT Austin, where graduates earn about $8,000-10,000 more initially but may face steeper costs of attendance. The 18% earnings growth to year four suggests these engineers are advancing in their careers, not stagnating.

For families weighing options, UH represents a practical path into mechanical engineering with manageable financial risk. The 70% admission rate and robust sample size (100+ graduates tracked) mean these outcomes are both attainable and reliable. You're not getting the prestige of Texas' top-tier programs, but you're getting comparable mid-career outcomes without the associated financial or admissions stress—a trade-off that should appeal to most families.