University of Houston-Clear Lake is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Houston, Texas. It enrolls 6,078 students (a large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Academic CalendarSemester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
69/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes40
Value81
Affordability75
Selectivity18
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 90.5%, University of Houston-Clear Lake is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
90.5%
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
970 – 1150
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
20 – 25
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether University of Houston-Clear Lake is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Stable ↑
1.7 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending University of Houston-Clear Lake isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $15,563 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$15,563
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
45%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
28%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$7,770
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$21,114
Room & Board (on-campus)
$12,642
Room & Board (off-campus)
$14,538
Books & Supplies
$1,192
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$4,454
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$4,454
Total Cost of Attendance
$24,622
Application fee: $45 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$7,330
$30,001 – $48,000
$12,470
$48,001 – $75,000
$19,458
$75,001 – $110,000
$21,296
Over $110,000
$21,898
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,00010%percentile
$5,64725%percentile
$17,831Medianpercentile
$23,41875%percentile
$32,59190%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $14,141
↓ $3,690
No Pell $12,500
↓ $5,331
Dependent students $11,000
↓ $6,831
Independent students $16,595
↓ $1,236
Female students $14,081
↓ $3,750
Male students $12,500
↓ $5,331
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $9,582, less than completers ($17,831), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
69% of full-time students who enrolled at University of Houston-Clear Lake graduate within six years, and 75% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
69%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
75%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered University of Houston-Clear Lake earn a median of $59,004 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$59,004
Earning > $25K
83%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$46,700
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$68,500
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$48,400
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$57,100
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$57,700
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $21,800, about 32% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
15.9 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Strong. 76% of graduates are actively reducing their debt seven years out.
Who Studies Here
University of Houston-Clear Lake is home to 6,078 students, a large student community. Some distinctive traits: 48% are first-generation college students, 47% study part-time.
Total Enrolled
6,078
Part-Time
47%
First-Generation
48%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
Hispanic 50.8%3,088
White 28.7%1,746
Asian 8.1%492
Black 6.9%418
Other 3.2%196
International 0.9%56
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at University of Houston-Clear Lake. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Midsize CityHouston, Texas
Housing
Limited on-campus housing552 beds
Adult Learners
39%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)
What You Can Study
University of Houston-Clear Lake offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
76 distinct programs across
24 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Houston-Clear Lake is 19:1, on the higher side.
Student : Faculty
19:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$9,274
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$39M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$89,416
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
283 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
72
25%
$108,333
Associate Professors
102
36%
$92,741
Assistant Professors
65
23%
$78,403
Lecturers
34
12%
$66,130
No Rank
10
4%
$73,062
Pros & Cons of University of Houston-Clear Lake
A quick at-a-glance summary of how University of Houston-Clear Lake tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Above-average graduation rate
Solid post-graduation earnings
Wide reach of need-based federal aid
First-gen-friendly student body
CONS
Class sizes are on the higher side
Modest first-year retention
Best for:
Based on the data, University of Houston-Clear Lake is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; working adults or students needing part-time study options.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Houston-Clear Lake
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about University of Houston-Clear Lake.
Is University of Houston-Clear Lake hard to get into?
University of Houston-Clear Lake has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 90.5%.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Houston-Clear Lake?
University of Houston-Clear Lake has an acceptance rate of 90.5%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for University of Houston-Clear Lake?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Houston-Clear Lake scored between 970 and 1150 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for University of Houston-Clear Lake?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Houston-Clear Lake scored between 20 and 25 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does University of Houston-Clear Lake cost?
The average net price after aid at University of Houston-Clear Lake is $15,563 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is University of Houston-Clear Lake worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $59,004 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $15,563 per year. That's roughly 3.8x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is University of Houston-Clear Lake known for?
University of Houston-Clear Lake is best known for its programs in Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Psychology, Business Administration. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do University of Houston-Clear Lake graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering University of Houston-Clear Lake are $59,004, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is University of Houston-Clear Lake accredited?
Yes. University of Houston-Clear Lake is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
How many students attend University of Houston-Clear Lake?
University of Houston-Clear Lake enrolls 6,078 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at University of Houston-Clear Lake?
University of Houston-Clear Lake graduates 69% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is University of Houston-Clear Lake a public or private college?
University of Houston-Clear Lake is a Public institution.
Where is University of Houston-Clear Lake located?
University of Houston-Clear Lake is located in Houston, Texas.
What programs does University of Houston-Clear Lake offer?
University of Houston-Clear Lake offers 76 distinct programs. The most popular include Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Psychology, Business Administration.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at University of Houston-Clear Lake?
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Houston-Clear Lake is 19:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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Rankings That Feature University of Houston-Clear Lake
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