UHCL vs. UIW

Comparable Facts

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

University of Houston Clear Lake is larger than UIW based on total student enrollment (8,137 students vs. 7,047 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Houston Clear Lake is located in Houston, TX (Large Suburban setting); University of the Incarnate Word is in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting).
• University of Houston Clear Lake is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of the Incarnate Word is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston Clear Lake 15:1; University of the Incarnate Word 12:1.

UHCL vs. UIW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UHCL or UIW? 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 UIW ($14,059 vs. $23,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Clear Lake are 11.6% lower than at University of the Incarnate Word ($12,642 vs. $14,296).
• University of the Incarnate Word is 377.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UHCL (about $29,320 more per year; $37,090.00 vs. $7,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.7% higher at UIW than at University of Houston Clear Lake (about $15,976 more per year; $37,090.00 vs. $21,114.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Incarnate Word than at University of Houston Clear Lake (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of the Incarnate Word students is 100.7% larger than aid received by University of Houston Clear Lake students ($25,354 vs. $12,630).

UHCL vs. UIW Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Houston Clear Lake (1060) is 40 points higher than at UIW (1020).
• Incoming UHCL students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 20 at UIW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Houston Clear Lake 970/1150; University of the Incarnate Word 900/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Houston Clear Lake 20/25; University of the Incarnate Word 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UHCL - Test optional; UIW - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UHCL Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UIW students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at UHCL (3.39).
• UIW has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than UHCL (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at UHCL vs. 9.1% at UIW.

UHCL vs. UIW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UHCL and UIW? 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 the Incarnate Word's six-year graduation rate is 43%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for UHCL.
• Graduates from University of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than UIW graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $49,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Clear Lake graduates have a $10,029 lower median loan debt than UIW graduates ($17,150 vs. $27,179).
• Among borrowers, UHCL graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UIW graduates ($177 vs. $281).
• More UHCL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIW students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 48%)

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.