Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. UHCL

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (8,137 students vs. 4,732 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is located in Magnolia, AR (Remote Town setting); University of Houston Clear Lake is in Houston, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; University of Houston Clear Lake 15:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. UHCL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than UHCL ($13,442 vs. $14,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 37.4% lower than at University of Houston Clear Lake ($7,911 vs. $12,642).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 28.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UHCL (about $2,190 more per year; $9,960.00 vs. $7,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.6% higher at UHCL than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $5,424 more per year; $21,114.00 vs. $15,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at University of Houston Clear Lake (99% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Clear Lake students is 9.3% larger than aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students ($12,630 vs. $11,552).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. UHCL Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Houston Clear Lake (1060) is 70 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990).
• Incoming UHCL students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105; University of Houston Clear Lake 970/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24; University of Houston Clear Lake 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; UHCL - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027; UHCL Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. 22.2% at UHCL.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. UHCL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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.

• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate is 34%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for UHCL.
• Graduates from University of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of about $15,800 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have a $130 lower median loan debt than UHCL graduates ($17,020 vs. $17,150).
• Among borrowers, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UHCL graduates ($175 vs. $177).
• More UHCL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 44%)

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.