Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of Houston-Clear Lake #152 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,627 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 80.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Houston-Clear Lake #130 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — the institution's ranked pillar.
Azimuth ranks University of Houston-Clear Lake #153 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 89.7 percentile. The current structured profile shows retention at 74.4% and a six-year graduation rate of 51.6%. Return on investment ranks #607, with graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $59,865. Graduates earn about $6,627 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 80.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Affordability sits in the 82.8 percentile; published cost of attendance is $24,622, and the middle-income net price is $19,458. Access sits in the 79.0 percentile, with 45.2% receiving Pell Grants and 48.2% first-generation.
Published cost of attendance is $24,622. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $7,330, middle-income families pay around $19,458, higher-income families pay approximately $21,898. Azimuth ranks University of Houston-Clear Lake #246 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 82.8 percentile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $17,831; families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $14,731. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $59,865, median federal debt projects to a monthly payment of about $201 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios, use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of Houston-Clear Lake is a strong fit for students drawn to business, management, and applied professional fields who want an affordable public university experience in the Houston, TX metro area. Graduates earn in the 45.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, and University of Houston-Clear Lake sits in the 80.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions — graduates earn about $6,627 more than similar students at comparable institutions, a meaningful signal for students focused on post-graduation financial outcomes. The institution enrolls a substantial share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 45.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 48.2% are first-generation — and University of Houston-Clear Lake sits in the 71.1 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions on a historical 10-year Scorecard measure, making it a credible option for cost-sensitive families seeking reliable long-term returns. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix is concentrated in Business and related applied fields, so students whose interests align with those areas will find the strongest outcomes, and the Houston regional labor market is the primary destination for most graduates rather than a nationally dispersed career network.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the University Of Houston-Clear Lake hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lamar University Similar quality tier in Southwest (#4321 ranked) | TX | 86% | $49,652 | #4321 | Compare |
California State University-Channel Islands Similar quality tier (#4324 ranked) | CA | 95% | $62,152 | #4324 | Compare |
University Of Maryland-Baltimore County Similar quality tier (#4329 ranked) | MD | 72% | $69,960 | #4329 | Compare |
The University Of Texas At Tyler Similar quality tier in Southwest (#4332 ranked) | TX | 94% | $57,053 | #4332 | Compare |
Central Connecticut State University Similar quality tier (#4336 ranked) | CT | 73% | $58,562 | #4336 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Published cost of attendance is $24,622. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $7,330, middle-income families pay around $19,458, higher-income families pay approximately $21,898.
Azimuth ranks University of Houston-Clear Lake #246 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 82.8 percentile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $17,831; families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $14,731.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $59,865, median federal debt projects to a monthly payment of about $201 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios, use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Graduates of University of Houston-Clear Lake earn median 4-year earnings of $59,865, placing University of Houston-Clear Lake in the 45.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,627 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 80.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of Houston-Clear Lake #607 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Program outcomes vary by major.
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other reports 238 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $57,065, ranked #25 nationally in its major. Psychology, General reports 122 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $48,885, ranked #215 nationally in its major.
Business Administration, Management and Operations reports 118 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $62,046, ranked #236 nationally in its major. Accounting and Related Services reports 109 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $70,134, ranked #147 nationally in its major.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
10 graduates
Computer Engineering
30 graduates
Computer Science
46 graduates
Computer and Information Sciences, General
24 graduates
Natural Resources Conservation and Research
23 graduates
University of Houston-Clear Lake's program mix is anchored in Business, which accounts for 26% of graduates — a concentration that shapes the institution's overall earnings profile. Social Sciences represents 5% of degrees and Engineering accounts for 4%, rounding out a portfolio tilted toward applied professional fields.
Across 34 programs serving roughly 1,513 students annually, 25 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold — a focused set that reflects the institution's upper-division and transfer-heavy enrollment model. Interdisciplinary Studies combines the largest cohort with strong earnings, making it the program that contributes most to University of Houston-Clear Lake's aggregate return.
The Interdisciplinary Studies program graduates 238 students annually with median earnings of $57,065 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks the program #44 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Other large programs include Psychology, General (122 graduates, $48,885) and Business Administration (118 graduates, $62,046).
On the earnings side, Computer Science leads with median earnings of $77,073 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks the program #172 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions. Business/Commerce, General follows at $71,973, and Azimuth ranks it #35 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The earnings pattern at University of Houston-Clear Lake reflects a business-and-applied-sciences orientation well suited to Houston's diversified economy. Programs like Accounting ($70,134 in median earnings four years after enrollment) and Biology, General ($64,555) feed directly into high-demand local industries.
The [supply-demand map for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides additional context for how these program families align with national labor-market trends. For details on [how Azimuth evaluates programs](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/), see the methodology overview.
