UHCL vs. South Texas College

Comparable Facts

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

South Texas College is larger than UHCL based on total student enrollment (27,431 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); South Texas College is in McAllen, TX (Midsize City setting).
• University of Houston Clear Lake is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Texas College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston Clear Lake 15:1; South Texas College 22:1.

UHCL vs. South Texas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UHCL or South Texas College? 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 South Texas College than UHCL ($1,844 vs. $14,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Texas College are 31.7% lower than at University of Houston Clear Lake ($8,638 vs. $12,642).
• University of Houston Clear Lake is 48.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Texas College (about $2,550 more per year; $7,770.00 vs. $5,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 177.1% higher at UHCL than at South Texas College (about $13,494 more per year; $21,114.00 vs. $7,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Texas College than at University of Houston Clear Lake (86% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Clear Lake students is 67.4% larger than aid received by South Texas College students ($12,630 vs. $7,547).

UHCL vs. South Texas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UHCL or South Texas College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between South Texas College and UHCL.

• South Texas College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston Clear Lake 970/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston Clear Lake 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UHCL - Test optional; South Texas College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: UHCL Jun 1, 2027; South Texas College Jun 18, 2027.

UHCL vs. South Texas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UHCL and South Texas College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from University of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of about $19,500 more per year than South Texas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $34,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.

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.