University of Houston-Clear Lake
- Graduation Rate
- 51% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $59,004 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $15,563 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 91% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 21.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.9 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $21.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,301,776.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 45% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $21.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of Houston-Clear Lake Matters
University of Houston-Clear Lake is a public doctoral / professional university in Houston, TX and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 6,078
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Psychology, Computer Science & IT, Education
Why students choose University of Houston-Clear Lake
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 91% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 970–1150. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $15,563 a year after grants and scholarships — 9% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $59,004 ten years after enrolling — 45% above the typical college, against $17,831 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.59 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 91%, the University of Houston-Clear Lake is an accessible option for many students seeking a solid education in fields like Business, Psychology, Biology, Computer Science, and Health Professions. This school stands out for its focus on practical skills and career readiness, making it a great fit for those looking to enter the workforce directly after graduation.
Graduates can expect to earn around $59,004 within a decade of completing their degree. This figure suggests that students who invest their time and effort here are likely to see a reasonable return on their education. With nearly half of the student body receiving Pell Grants, the university supports a diverse population, which can contribute to a rich community and networking opportunities post-graduation.
When it comes to the financial aspect, the net price after aid is $15,563, while the median debt stands at $17,831. This combination indicates that students can manage their expenses relatively well. Those who tend to thrive here are often motivated individuals who take advantage of the university's career-oriented programs, ready to step into the job market with a solid foundation.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Houston-Clear Lake is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Houston-Clear Lake? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of Houston-Clear Lake, located in Houston, Texas, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 91%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,060. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 91%
- Retention Rate
- 74%
- SAT Average
- 1060
- ACT Midpoint
- 20
- SAT Range
- 970–1150
- ACT Range
- 20–25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 59%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,108
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.65
- First-Gen Students
- 48%
- Applicants
- 1,985
- Admitted
- 1,377
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Houston-Clear Lake? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Houston-Clear Lake is $21,114, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,563. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,330 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $17,831 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $7,770
- Out-of-State
- $21,114
- Avg Net Price
- $15,563
- Median Debt
- $17,831
- Pell Grant Rate
- 45%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 28%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $7,330
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,470
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $19,458
- Family Income $110K+
- $21,898
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of Houston-Clear Lake — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Houston-Clear Lake Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Houston-Clear Lake earn a median of $59,004, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $52,098
- 8 Years
- $56,582
- 10 Years
- $59,004
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.3x
- Earning > $25K
- 79%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (62)
- 31%
- 100% (62)
- 31%
- 100% (62)
- 31%
- 100% (62)
- 31%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Houston-Clear Lake Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Houston-Clear Lake delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $15,563/year ($62,252 total). Graduates earn $59,004 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,364,028 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,301,776 (21.9× your investment). The median debt is $17,831, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 51% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $62,252
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,364,028
- Net Return
- $1,301,776
- ROI Multiple
- 21.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $15,563
- Median Debt
- $17,831
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 51%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-3,619,218
Top Programs
The fields University of Houston-Clear Lake awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 22% $60,262 early-career
- Psychology 9% $43,660 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 8% $66,642 early-career
- Education 8% $56,525 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 8% $33,193 early-career
- Social Sciences 5% $44,638 early-career
- Health Professions 5%
- Visual & Performing Arts 4% $42,934 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Houston-Clear Lake's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Houston-Clear Lake? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
University of Houston-Clear Lake, located in Houston, Texas, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 91%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,060. The graduation rate is roughly 51%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Houston-Clear Lake? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Houston-Clear Lake is $21,114, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,563. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,330 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $17,831 in federal student loans.
Is University of Houston-Clear Lake Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Houston-Clear Lake earn a median of $59,004, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is University of Houston-Clear Lake? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Houston-Clear Lake. Its economic connectedness score is 1.59, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Houston-Clear Lake.
- Eastern Washington UniversityCheney, WA · Close peer45% grad $57,897 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Wisconsin-StoutMenomonie, WI · Close peer54% grad $58,084 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Wisconsin-PlattevillePlatteville, WI · Close peer58% grad $61,760 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- William Paterson University of New JerseyWayne, NJ · Close peer46% grad $57,780 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Radford UniversityRadford, VA · Close peer49% grad $53,739 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Southern Connecticut State UniversityNew Haven, CT · Close peer49% grad $55,043 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Houston-Clear Lake? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Houston-Clear Lake. Its economic connectedness score is 1.59, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note