University Of Houston-Clear Lake

University of Houston-Clear Lake maintains open access admission with a 75.3% acceptance rate, admitting roughly 3 out of 4 applicants who meet basic eligibility requirements. This acceptance rate falls well below the peer median of 84.6%, indicating slightly more selective standards than typical public institutions serving similar populations.

The university's admission approach reflects its mission as a completion-focused institution serving transfer students, working adults, and first-generation college students in the Houston metropolitan area. Open access admission means that qualified students have strong chances of acceptance, making UH-Clear Lake an accessible option for students seeking four-year degree completion.

The 75.3% rate suggests some academic standards while maintaining broad educational opportunity. For college list planning, students should view UH-Clear Lake as a likely admission choice rather than a competitive reach, though meeting prerequisite coursework and GPA requirements remains important.

The university's substantial transfer population (75.4%) indicates particular accessibility for community college graduates seeking bachelor's degree completion. Students should focus on demonstrating academic readiness and clear educational goals rather than worrying about competitive positioning against other applicants in the admission process.

University of Houston-Clear Lake maintains strong affordability through controlled costs and generous financial aid targeting. The published cost of attendance totals $23,788 annually, including $21,330 in out-of-state tuition ($7,746 for Texas residents), $11,014 for room and board, and $1,026 for books and supplies.

However, the average student pays just $11,056 after financial aid, representing substantial savings of $12,732 from the sticker price. This net price falls $3,037 below the peer median of $14,093, positioning UH-Clear Lake as more affordable than similar public institutions.

The university's affordability index ranks at the 88.1st percentile nationally with strong tier performance, reflecting exceptional value relative to outcomes. Net costs vary significantly by family income, ranging from $7,818 for families earning under $30,000 to $22,367 for those earning over $110,000, demonstrating progressive aid targeting.

This pricing structure makes UH-Clear Lake accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds while maintaining quality academic programming. The combination of below-peer net pricing with strong graduation outcomes creates favorable conditions for families seeking affordable degree completion options in the Houston metropolitan area.

UH-Clear Lake graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression over their early career years. Median earnings grow from $52,098 six years after enrollment to $56,582 at eight years and $59,004 at ten years, representing 13.3% growth from the six-year mark.

These outcomes are based on substantial cohorts of 1,807 graduates at six years, 1,693 at eight years, and 1,781 at ten years, providing high confidence in reported figures. The university's exceptional performance in earnings beyond expectations—$15,134 above predictions at the 91.2nd percentile—reflects its effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement.

Low-income graduates earn $48,400, demonstrating that students from disadvantaged backgrounds achieve meaningful career outcomes. Earnings span a broad range from $40,766 to $76,140, reflecting the diverse program portfolio and career paths available to graduates.

Approximately 25.8% continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education. The combination of steady earnings growth and strong value-added performance positions UH-Clear Lake graduates favorably in the post-graduation labor market.

UH-Clear Lake offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data, serving diverse career pathways across business, health, and applied sciences. Business/Commerce General ranks #9 nationally and #2 in Texas, graduating 54 students with median earnings of $70,808 and an exceptional value score of 87.7.

Criminology ranks #15 nationally and #1 in Texas, producing 46 graduates earning $54,123. Clinical Research Coordinator ranks #26 nationally and #2 in Texas, graduating 60 students with median earnings of $52,995.

Art History, Criticism and Conservation ranks #23 nationally and #1 in Texas despite smaller cohorts of 41 graduates earning $48,711. The university's largest program by enrollment, Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, ranks #23 nationally and #8 in Texas while graduating 268 students annually with median earnings of $53,078 and a strong value score of 74.1.

This combination of nationally competitive rankings with substantial enrollment demonstrates the university's ability to deliver quality outcomes at scale across multiple disciplines.