UHCL vs. TSU

Comparable Facts

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

Texas Southern University is larger than UHCL based on total student enrollment (8,704 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); Texas Southern University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• University of Houston Clear Lake is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Southern University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston Clear Lake 15:1; Texas Southern University 19:1.

UHCL vs. TSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UHCL or TSU? 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 Texas Southern University than UHCL ($13,584 vs. $14,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Clear Lake are 1.2% lower than at Texas Southern University ($12,642 vs. $12,800).
• Texas Southern University is 18.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UHCL (about $1,403 more per year; $9,173.00 vs. $7,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at TSU than at University of Houston Clear Lake (about $359 more per year; $21,473.00 vs. $21,114.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Southern University than at University of Houston Clear Lake (95% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Clear Lake students is 28.6% larger than aid received by Texas Southern University students ($12,630 vs. $9,823).

UHCL vs. TSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Houston Clear Lake (1060) is 160 points higher than at TSU (900).
• Incoming UHCL students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 17 at TSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Houston Clear Lake 970/1150; Texas Southern University 800/1000.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Houston Clear Lake 20/25; Texas Southern University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UHCL - Test optional; TSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UHCL Jun 1, 2027; TSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UHCL students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at TSU (3.0).
• TSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than UHCL (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at UHCL vs. 17.9% at TSU.

UHCL vs. TSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UHCL and TSU? 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.

• Texas Southern University's six-year graduation rate is 12%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for UHCL.
• Graduates from University of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of about $17,500 more per year than TSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Clear Lake graduates have a $12,208 lower median loan debt than TSU graduates ($17,150 vs. $29,358).
• Among borrowers, UHCL graduates have an estimated $126 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TSU graduates ($177 vs. $303).
• More UHCL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TSU students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 22%)

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.