HBU vs. UHCL

Comparable Facts

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

University of Houston Clear Lake is larger than HBU based on total student enrollment (8,137 students vs. 4,276 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Houston Christian University is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); University of Houston Clear Lake is in Houston, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• Houston Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Clear Lake is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Houston Christian University 18:1; University of Houston Clear Lake 15:1.

HBU vs. UHCL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HBU 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 HBU ($14,059 vs. $21,282).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Clear Lake are 2.2% lower than at Houston Christian University ($12,642 vs. $12,928).
• Houston Christian University is 407.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UHCL (about $31,660 more per year; $39,430.00 vs. $7,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 86.7% higher at HBU than at University of Houston Clear Lake (about $18,316 more per year; $39,430.00 vs. $21,114.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Houston Christian University than at University of Houston Clear Lake (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Houston Christian University students is 128.6% larger than aid received by University of Houston Clear Lake students ($28,870 vs. $12,630).

HBU vs. UHCL Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HBU or UHCL? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UHCL and HBU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Houston Christian University (1090) is 30 points higher than at UHCL (1060).
• Incoming UHCL students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 20 at HBU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Houston Christian University 990/1190; University of Houston Clear Lake 970/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Houston Christian University 17/24; University of Houston Clear Lake 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HBU - Test optional; UHCL - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UHCL Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman HBU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at UHCL (3.39).
• UHCL has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than HBU (84.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.5% at HBU vs. 22.2% at UHCL.

HBU vs. UHCL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HBU and UHCL? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Houston Christian University's six-year graduation rate is 45%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for UHCL.
• Graduates from University of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than HBU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $51,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Clear Lake graduates have a $7,016 lower median loan debt than HBU graduates ($17,150 vs. $24,166).
• Among borrowers, UHCL graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HBU graduates ($177 vs. $249).
• More UHCL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HBU students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 54%)

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.