UHCL vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Merced is larger than UHCL based on total student enrollment (9,110 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); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Houston Clear Lake is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston Clear Lake 15:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

UHCL vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UHCL or UC Merced? 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 California Merced than UHCL ($13,690 vs. $14,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Clear Lake are 41% lower than at University of California Merced ($12,642 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 101.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UHCL (about $7,853 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $7,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 136% higher at UC Merced than at University of Houston Clear Lake (about $28,709 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $21,114.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Merced than at University of Houston Clear Lake (89% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 116.1% larger than aid received by University of Houston Clear Lake students ($27,292 vs. $12,630).

UHCL vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Houston Clear Lake (1060) is 10 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming UHCL students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 21 at UC Merced).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Houston Clear Lake 970/1150; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Houston Clear Lake 20/25; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UHCL - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UHCL Jun 1, 2027; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman UC Merced students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at UHCL (3.39).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than UHCL (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at UHCL vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

UHCL vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UHCL and UC Merced? 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.

• University of California Merced's six-year graduation rate is 58%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for UHCL.
• Graduates from University of Houston Clear Lake have median earnings of about $53,700 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for UC Merced.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Clear Lake graduates have a $2,749 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($17,150 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, UHCL graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($177 vs. $205).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UHCL students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.