UHCL vs. MSU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Houston Clear Lake is larger than MSU based on total student enrollment (8,137 students vs. 5,324 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UHCL vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UHCL or MSU? 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 Midwestern State University than UHCL ($11,215 vs. $14,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Midwestern State University are 12% lower than at University of Houston Clear Lake ($11,124 vs. $12,642).
• Midwestern State University is 36.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UHCL (about $2,810 more per year; $10,580.00 vs. $7,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.5% higher at UHCL than at Midwestern State University (about $8,584 more per year; $21,114.00 vs. $12,530.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Midwestern State University than at University of Houston Clear Lake (92% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Clear Lake students is 14.4% larger than aid received by Midwestern State University students ($12,630 vs. $11,037).

UHCL vs. MSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UHCL or MSU? 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 MSU and UHCL.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Houston Clear Lake (1060) is 50 points higher than at MSU (1010).
• Incoming UHCL students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 19 at MSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Houston Clear Lake 970/1150; Midwestern State University 910/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Houston Clear Lake 20/25; Midwestern State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UHCL - Test optional; MSU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UHCL Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UHCL students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at MSU (3.2).
• MSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than UHCL (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at UHCL vs. 12.9% at MSU.

UHCL vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UHCL and MSU? 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.

• Midwestern State University'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 $9,400 more per year than MSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Clear Lake graduates have a $5,149 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($17,150 vs. $22,299).
• Among borrowers, UHCL graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($177 vs. $230).
• More UHCL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.