UHCL vs. Texas State

Comparable Facts

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

Texas State University is larger than UHCL based on total student enrollment (40,674 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 State University is in San Marcos, TX (Distant Town setting).
• University of Houston Clear Lake is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston Clear Lake 15:1; Texas State University 21:1.

UHCL vs. Texas State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UHCL or Texas State? 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 Texas State ($14,059 vs. $15,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas State University are 0.1% lower than at University of Houston Clear Lake ($12,630 vs. $12,642).
• Texas State University is 47.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UHCL (about $3,680 more per year; $11,450.00 vs. $7,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.6% higher at Texas State than at University of Houston Clear Lake (about $1,816 more per year; $22,930.00 vs. $21,114.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Houston Clear Lake as at Texas State University (76% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Clear Lake students is 0.6% larger than aid received by Texas State University students ($12,630 vs. $12,556).

UHCL vs. Texas State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Texas State University (1090) is 30 points higher than at UHCL (1060).
• Incoming UHCL students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 22) as students at Texas State (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Houston Clear Lake 970/1150; Texas State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Houston Clear Lake 20/25; Texas State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UHCL - Test optional; Texas State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UHCL Jun 1, 2027; Texas State Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UHCL students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Texas State (3.38).
• UHCL has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Texas State (89.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at UHCL vs. 26.9% at Texas State.

UHCL vs. Texas State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UHCL and Texas State? 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 State University's six-year graduation rate is 56%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for UHCL.
• Graduates from University of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Texas State graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Clear Lake graduates have a $4,100 lower median loan debt than Texas State graduates ($17,150 vs. $21,250).
• Among borrowers, UHCL graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Texas State graduates ($177 vs. $219).
• More UHCL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Texas State students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 55%)

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.