UHCL vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

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

California State University San Marcos is larger than UHCL based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 8,137 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Houston Clear Lake is located in Houston, TX (Large Suburban setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Houston Clear Lake is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University San Marcos is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston Clear Lake 15:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

UHCL vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UHCL or California State University-San Marcos? 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 California State University San Marcos than UHCL ($10,241 vs. $14,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Clear Lake are 10.7% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($12,642 vs. $14,152).
• California State University San Marcos is 4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UHCL (about $312 more per year; $8,082.00 vs. $7,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at UHCL than at California State University San Marcos (about $432 more per year; $21,114.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Houston Clear Lake than at California State University San Marcos (76% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Clear Lake students is 13.5% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($12,630 vs. $11,123).

UHCL vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UHCL or California State University-San Marcos? 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 California State University-San Marcos and UHCL.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Houston Clear Lake (1060) is 20 points higher than at California State University-San Marcos (1040).
• Incoming UHCL students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 19 at California State University-San Marcos).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Houston Clear Lake 970/1150; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Houston Clear Lake 20/25; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UHCL - Test optional; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UHCL Jun 1, 2027; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman UHCL students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at California State University-San Marcos (3.32).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than UHCL (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at UHCL vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

UHCL vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UHCL and California State University-San Marcos? 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.

• California State University San Marcos's six-year graduation rate is 49%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for UHCL.
• Graduates from University of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of about $4,600 more per year than California State University-San Marcos graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $49,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Clear Lake graduates have a $845 lower median loan debt than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($17,150 vs. $17,995).
• Among borrowers, UHCL graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($177 vs. $186).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UHCL students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.