Public · Mostly associate degrees · Large city

Houston City College

Houston, Texas. 40,503 undergraduates.

17%Graduation rate20 pts below the national median for similar colleges (38%)
$4,575Average net price per year54% below the national median for similar colleges ($9,953)
$42,369Median earnings 10 years after starting6% below the national median for similar colleges ($45,146)
$14,250Median debt at graduation19% above the national median for similar colleges ($12,000)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($14,250) equals 34% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($42,369).

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$4,547
$30,000–$48,000$3,920
$48,001–$75,000$4,819
$75,001–$110,000$8,736
Over $110,000$11,065

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $2,040 in-state, $5,460 out-of-state.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate17%38%
Return for second year—64%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$38,584$40,416
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$42,369$45,146
Median debt at graduation$14,250$12,000

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly associate degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

105 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing117$70,801$96,840$20,085
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions94$73,398$87,307$17,250
Engineering Science59$74,422$84,778$9,750
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions13—$74,058—
Physical Science Technologies/Technicians15$57,667$70,666$23,471
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions19—$68,231—
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians5—$61,137—
Legal Support Services37—$61,058—
Accounting and Related Services39$40,368$59,430$16,943
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services53$52,881$58,928$21,250
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications92$38,570$58,492$14,871
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians19—$57,024—
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians17$49,232$55,635—
Criminal Justice and Corrections18—$54,538—
Business Administration, Management and Operations896$37,750$53,823$15,470
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods123—$52,673$16,000
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities1,623$36,328$51,909$16,353
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services35$24,421$46,889$24,841
Design and Applied Arts32$42,248——
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services34$36,573$39,035$35,214
Graphic Communications65$19,437$38,052$19,938
Culinary Arts and Related Services52$26,715$35,197$11,000
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians24—$32,004—
Biology, General626$31,634—$16,500
Psychology, General183$25,708—$16,544
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians29$22,327——
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations10—$17,548—
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services5———
Communication and Media Studies44——$13,250
Computer and Information Sciences, General56———
Computer Programming35———
Computer Science111——$14,582
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians9———
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians5———
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician24———
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services18———
American Sign Language22———
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services24———
English Language and Literature, General23———
Mathematics6———
Chemistry4———
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences1———
Physics5———
Fire Protection8———
Anthropology4———
Geography and Cartography3———
Political Science and Government17———
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers7———
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)10———
Precision Metal Working30———
Dance3———
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft10———
Film/Video and Photographic Arts9———
Fine and Studio Arts39———
Music4———
Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management9———
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General125———
Health and Medical Administrative Services11———
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions11———
Finance and Financial Management Services9———
Hospitality Administration/Management10———
International Business8———
Marketing13———
Real Estate35——$26,723
History14———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

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Quick answers

How much does Houston City College cost per year?
The average net price at Houston City College, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $4,575 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Houston City College graduates earn?
Former Houston City College students earn a median of $42,369 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Houston City College?
17% of Houston City College students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Houston City College graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Houston City College is $14,250. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.