Houston Christian University
Houston Christian University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Houston Christian University at a Glance
Houston Christian University (HCU), formerly Houston Baptist University (HBU), is a private university in Houston, Texas, United States. It is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Its Cultural Arts Center houses three museums: the Dunham Bible Museum, the Museum of American Architecture and Decorative Arts, and the Museum of Southern History.
1960
66 years old
$132M
$132 million (2021)
4,693
3,277 undergrad · 1,416 grad
152
158 acres
Identity
Is Houston Christian University Worth It?
At a value score of 34/100, Houston Christian University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $55,933 — 4% above average — while paying $20,629/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 49% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Houston Christian University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Houston Christian University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in TX
Ranked #51 of 110 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #2 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #3 | Saint Peter's University | 72 | $12,199 | $57,815 |
| #4 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #5 | University of Mary | 58 | $17,770 | $60,909 |
| #6 | Bradley University | 54 | $22,719 | $66,852 |
| #51 | Houston Christian University | 34 | $20,629 | $55,933 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Houston Christian University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in TX.
Best Programs at Houston Christian University
The highest-earning program at Houston Christian University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $67,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General at $27,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Houston Christian University earns $67,600, while a Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General graduate earns $27,400. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $24,347 in median debt vs. $24,218 for Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,629/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $67,600 | $67,600 | $24,347 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $55,900 | $55,900 | $26,625 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $45,700 | $45,700 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $32,600 | $32,600 | $26,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $28,100 | $28,100 | $23,250 |
| Psychology, General | $28,100 | $28,100 | $31,000 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | $27,400 | $27,400 | $24,218 |
Similar Colleges in TX
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Houston, TX
- Student Body
- 2,886 students
- Admission Rate
- 84%
- Graduation Rate
- 49%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,629
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,933
- Median Student Debt
- $22,642