UHCL vs. University of Houston-Downtown

Comparable Facts

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

University of Houston Downtown is larger than UHCL based on total student enrollment (13,730 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 Houston Downtown is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• University of Houston Clear Lake is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston Clear Lake 15:1; University of Houston Downtown 18:1.

UHCL vs. University of Houston-Downtown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UHCL or University of Houston-Downtown? 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 Downtown than UHCL ($10,832 vs. $14,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Downtown are 19.5% lower than at University of Houston Clear Lake ($10,176 vs. $12,642).
• University of Houston Clear Lake is 0.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $62 more per year; $7,770.00 vs. $7,708.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.3% higher at UHCL than at University of Houston Downtown (about $3,566 more per year; $21,114.00 vs. $17,548.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Houston Downtown than at University of Houston Clear Lake (84% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Clear Lake students is 23.1% larger than aid received by University of Houston Downtown students ($12,630 vs. $10,257).

UHCL vs. University of Houston-Downtown Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UHCL or University of Houston-Downtown? 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 University of Houston-Downtown and UHCL.

• University of Houston Downtown reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Houston Clear Lake (1060) is 30 points higher than at University of Houston-Downtown (1030).
• Incoming UHCL students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 19 at University of Houston-Downtown).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Houston Clear Lake 970/1150; University of Houston Downtown 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Houston Clear Lake 20/25; University of Houston Downtown 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UHCL - Test optional; University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: UHCL Jun 1, 2027; University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UHCL students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at University of Houston-Downtown (3.29).
• UHCL has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than University of Houston-Downtown (90%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at UHCL vs. 20% at University of Houston-Downtown.

UHCL vs. University of Houston-Downtown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UHCL and University of Houston-Downtown? 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 Houston Downtown's six-year graduation rate is 15%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for UHCL.
• Graduates from University of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than University of Houston-Downtown graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Clear Lake graduates have a $1,600 lower median loan debt than University of Houston-Downtown graduates ($17,150 vs. $18,750).
• Among borrowers, UHCL graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Houston-Downtown graduates ($177 vs. $193).
• More UHCL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Houston-Downtown students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 41%)

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.