Salem State University vs. UHCL

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem State University in Salem, MA 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 Salem State University based on total student enrollment (8,137 students vs. 6,230 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem State University is located in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting); University of Houston Clear Lake is in Houston, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• Salem 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: Salem State University 12:1; University of Houston Clear Lake 15:1.

Salem State University vs. UHCL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Salem State University 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 Salem State University ($14,059 vs. $17,541).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Clear Lake are 24.9% lower than at Salem State University ($12,642 vs. $16,838).
• Salem State University is 58.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UHCL (about $4,568 more per year; $12,338.00 vs. $7,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.1% higher at UHCL than at Salem State University (about $1,583 more per year; $21,114.00 vs. $19,531.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at University of Houston Clear Lake (98% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Clear Lake students is 22.4% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($12,630 vs. $10,319).

Salem State University vs. UHCL Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Salem State University 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 Salem State University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Salem State University (1080) is 20 points higher than at UHCL (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Salem State University 990/1160; University of Houston Clear Lake 970/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresUniversity of Houston Clear Lake 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Salem State University - Test-free; UHCL - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027; UHCL Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UHCL students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Salem State University (3.17).
• Salem State University has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than UHCL (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Salem State University vs. 22.2% at UHCL.

Salem State University vs. UHCL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Salem State University 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.

• Salem State University's six-year graduation rate is 42%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for UHCL.
• Graduates from University of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than Salem State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $44,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Clear Lake graduates have a $6,850 lower median loan debt than Salem State University graduates ($17,150 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, UHCL graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem State University graduates ($177 vs. $248).
• More Salem State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UHCL students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 56%)

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.