UHCL vs. Tarleton

Comparable Facts

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

Tarleton State University is larger than UHCL based on total student enrollment (17,433 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); Tarleton State University is in Stephenville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• University of Houston Clear Lake is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tarleton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston Clear Lake 15:1; Tarleton State University 20:1.

UHCL vs. Tarleton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UHCL or Tarleton? 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 Tarleton ($14,059 vs. $16,159).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tarleton State University are 13.6% lower than at University of Houston Clear Lake ($10,920 vs. $12,642).
• Tarleton State University is 6.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UHCL (about $532 more per year; $8,302.00 vs. $7,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.4% higher at UHCL than at Tarleton State University (about $2,972 more per year; $21,114.00 vs. $18,142.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tarleton State University than at University of Houston Clear Lake (91% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Clear Lake students is 59.3% larger than aid received by Tarleton State University students ($12,630 vs. $7,929).

UHCL vs. Tarleton Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Tarleton State University (1070) is 10 points higher than at UHCL (1060).
• Incoming UHCL students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Tarleton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Houston Clear Lake 970/1150; Tarleton State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Houston Clear Lake 20/25; Tarleton State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UHCL - Test optional; Tarleton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UHCL Jun 1, 2027; Tarleton Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UHCL students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Tarleton (3.21).
• UHCL has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Tarleton (89.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at UHCL vs. 24.3% at Tarleton.

UHCL vs. Tarleton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UHCL and Tarleton? 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.

• Tarleton State University's six-year graduation rate is 39%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for UHCL.
• Graduates from University of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than Tarleton graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $45,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Clear Lake graduates have a $2,600 lower median loan debt than Tarleton graduates ($17,150 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, UHCL graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tarleton graduates ($177 vs. $204).
• More UHCL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tarleton 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.