Business/Commerce, General at University of Houston-Downtown

Houston, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
73 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
73
Optimistic
73
Base Case
68
Pessimistic
Earnings $47,469/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)
ROI 18.7x earnings multiple (8.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #18 of 242 Business/Commerce, General programs Top 10%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Business/Commerce, General graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $585K $577K $526K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.0x 18.7x 17.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.2x 8.1x 7.4x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 73 73 68

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,832
Out-of-state: $71,152 (8.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,492
-90% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,099
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,971
35% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $47,469/yr, roughly in line with the $48,211 national median for Business/Commerce, General. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 18.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 10% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business/Commerce, General career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $47,469 far exceeding the $20,099 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #18 of 242 programs, this Business/Commerce, General program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

A 35% earnings increase from $47,469 to $63,971 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Houston-Downtown

University of Houston-Downtown accepts 91% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 12,812 students in Houston, TX. With 52% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Houston-Downtown →

Top Career Paths

Chief executives $206,420/yr
Sales managers $138,060/yr
Managers, all other $136,550/yr
View all 16 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Business/Commerce, General at Other Schools

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 73/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business/Commerce, General at University of Houston-Downtown?
At 73/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Business/Commerce, General at University of Houston-Downtown?
The 46% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →