Economics at University of Houston

Houston, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
74 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
75
Optimistic
74
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $50,820/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (56% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (293,500 openings/yr)
ROI 17.6x earnings multiple (7.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #52 of 351 Economics programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Economics graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $704K $682K $596K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.1x 17.6x 15.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.9x 7.7x 6.7x
Probability of Field Employment 66% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 75 74 70

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,844
Out-of-state: $88,764 (7.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,412
-43% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,625
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,425
46% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $50,820/yr, roughly in line with the $53,966 national median for Economics. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Economics programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Economics's typical career paths, with 56% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 15% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $50,820 far exceeding the $16,625 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #52 of 351 nationally, this is a top-5% Economics program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $50,820 to $74,425 over five years — a 46% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of Houston

A 70% admission rate makes University of Houston accessible to a wide range of qualified students, one of the larger campuses at 37,175 students in Houston, TX. With 41% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Houston →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr
Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980/yr
Economists $115,440/yr
View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Economics at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of Houston

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Economics at University of Houston?
This program scores 74/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Economics nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Economics careers?
With 56% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $595,598 in decade earnings vs $703,947 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Houston's Economics program stand out?
Ranked #52 of 351 programs nationally, University of Houston lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →