UHCL vs. SU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Houston Clear Lake is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (8,137 students vs. 1,440 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Houston Clear Lake is located in Houston, TX (Large Suburban setting); Southwestern University is in Georgetown, TX (Distant Town setting).
• University of Houston Clear Lake is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston Clear Lake 15:1; Southwestern University 11:1.

UHCL vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UHCL or SU? 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 SU ($14,059 vs. $32,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Clear Lake are 16.1% lower than at Southwestern University ($12,642 vs. $15,072).
• Southwestern University is 592.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UHCL (about $46,043 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $7,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 154.9% higher at SU than at University of Houston Clear Lake (about $32,699 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $21,114.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern University than at University of Houston Clear Lake (99% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern University students is 178.4% larger than aid received by University of Houston Clear Lake students ($35,162 vs. $12,630).

UHCL vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwestern University (1220) is 160 points higher than at UHCL (1060).
• Incoming SU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at UHCL).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston Clear Lake 970/1150; Southwestern University 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston Clear Lake 20/25; Southwestern University 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UHCL - Test optional; SU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UHCL Jun 1, 2027; SU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at UHCL (3.39).
• UHCL has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than SU (43.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at UHCL vs. 13.8% at SU.

UHCL vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UHCL and SU? 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 Southwestern University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than UHCL graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,400 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Clear Lake graduates have a $9,743 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($17,150 vs. $26,893).
• Among borrowers, UHCL graduates have an estimated $101 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($177 vs. $278).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UHCL students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.