Cleveland State vs. UHCL

Comparable Facts

Compare Cleveland State University in Cleveland, OH with University of Houston Clear Lake in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cleveland State University is larger than UHCL based on total student enrollment (14,074 students vs. 8,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cleveland State University is located in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting); University of Houston Clear Lake is in Houston, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Clear Lake is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cleveland State University 16:1; University of Houston Clear Lake 15:1.

Cleveland State vs. UHCL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cleveland State or UHCL? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Houston Clear Lake than Cleveland State ($14,059 vs. $16,230).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Clear Lake are 16.3% lower than at Cleveland State University ($12,642 vs. $15,104).
• Cleveland State University is 67.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UHCL (about $5,218 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $7,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.1% higher at UHCL than at Cleveland State University (about $2,604 more per year; $21,114.00 vs. $18,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland State University than at University of Houston Clear Lake (90% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Clear Lake students is 28.9% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($12,630 vs. $9,795).

Cleveland State vs. UHCL Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cleveland State or UHCL? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UHCL and Cleveland State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston Clear Lake (1060) is 50 points higher than at Cleveland State (1010).
• Incoming UHCL students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Cleveland State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 880/1130; University of Houston Clear Lake 970/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cleveland State University 18/25; University of Houston Clear Lake 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cleveland State - Test-free; UHCL - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027; UHCL Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UHCL students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Cleveland State (3.31).
• Cleveland State has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than UHCL (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.7% at Cleveland State vs. 22.2% at UHCL.

Cleveland State vs. UHCL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cleveland State and UHCL? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from University of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than Cleveland State graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $44,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Clear Lake graduates have a $4,350 lower median loan debt than Cleveland State graduates ($17,150 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UHCL graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cleveland State graduates ($177 vs. $222).
• More UHCL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cleveland State students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.