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460Students
$88,757Earnings
Public4-yearData: 2023-24

Cost vs. Outcomes

Return on investment data for The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Metric Value
Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) $88,757/yr
Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma +$54,757/yr
Median Debt at Graduation $13,063

Earnings by Major

Top programs ranked by median earnings

Earnings and debt by program at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Program Level Median Earnings Median Debt
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences. Master $190,536
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Doctoral $119,805 $61,500
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Master $110,432 $38,314
Dentistry. Doctoral $103,078 $168,997
Medical Illustration and Informatics. Master $72,022 $20,500
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Bachelor $70,945 $15,000
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. Master $65,657 $33,280
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. Bachelor $57,995 $18,469
Health and Medical Administrative Services. Master $57,318
Medicine. Doctoral $55,979 $139,347

Analysis

UTHealth Houston is a health sciences institution, and the numbers reflect that focus. Ten years out, you earn a median of $88,757 against a median debt of just $13,063. That debt-to-earnings ratio is one of the best you'll find, and it's driven by the graduate and professional health programs that dominate this campus.

The two bachelor-level programs tell a narrower story. Nursing pays $70,945 with $15,000 in debt, which clears well against what you borrow. Dental support and allied professions comes in lower at $57,995 while carrying more debt at $18,469, so your margin there is thinner. If you're comparing the two undergraduate tracks, nursing gives you more earnings for less borrowed.

The risk here is misreading what this school is. That $88,757 median is pulled up by dentists, doctors, and advanced-practice nurses who spent years in graduate training. If you enroll for the bachelor's nursing degree expecting six-figure outcomes, your realistic number is closer to $71,000. Plan around the credential you're actually pursuing, not the campus-wide median.

This school fits you if you're aiming for a health career in the Houston medical corridor, one of the largest medical employment hubs in the country. Nursing and allied health graduates step into steady regional demand. If you want a broad undergraduate education across the humanities, business, or engineering, those programs don't exist here and you should look elsewhere.

On cost, 42.6% of students receive Pell Grants, so a large share of the student body comes from lower-income households. The low median debt suggests that borrowing stays modest across income levels, which matters most if you're paying without family support. Check the net price tier for your income band before you commit, since aid packages shift the real cost significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston worth the cost?

With median debt of just $13,063 and earnings of $88,757 ten years after graduation, UTHealth Houston offers strong ROI for most students. The low debt burden makes this one of the better value propositions among health science schools.

What are the highest paying programs at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston?

Advanced dentistry graduates earn around $190,536 annually, making it the top-earning program. Nursing programs also perform well, with some tracks earning $110,000-$119,000, while medical illustration graduates earn significantly less at $72,022.

How much student debt do graduates of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston have?

The median debt is $13,063, which is remarkably low for a health science center. This low debt load means graduates can focus on career building rather than aggressive loan repayment.

Are nursing programs at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston financially worth it?

Yes, nursing graduates earn $110,000-$119,000 with minimal debt. The return on investment is strong, especially considering the low borrowing required and stable job market for nurses.