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 #152 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Houston, TX, University of Houston-Clear Lake enrolls roughly 6,078 undergraduates. Retention stands at 74.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 51.6%, figures that reflect the institution's role as an upper-level and graduate-serving university drawing a large share of transfer students. What anchors University of Houston-Clear Lake in the composite is mobility. The institution sits in the 91.3 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions, driven by strong outcomes for a student body where 45.2% receive Pell Grants and 48.2% are first-generation college students. Affordability reinforces that position — University of Houston-Clear Lake sits in the 82.8 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting a public-tuition structure that keeps net prices moderate across income bands. Access sits in the 79.0 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions, consistent with an admission rate of 90.5% and broad enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students. Return on investment is the lower-ranked pillar in the composite. Azimuth ranks University of Houston-Clear Lake #607 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $59,865, and graduates earn about $6,627 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Houston-Clear Lake in the 80.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The dominant program family is Business, and the earnings figures reflect TX's regional labor market and a student population whose post-graduation outcomes represent meaningful returns relative to the no-degree-equivalent baseline of $31,626, even where they fall below selective-peer averages.
University of Houston-Clear Lake's published cost of attendance is $24,622, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $7,330 per year in net price, middle-income families pay around $19,458, and higher-income families pay approximately $21,898. Azimuth ranks University of Houston-Clear Lake #246 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. The gap between sticker price and what families actually pay reflects the university's participation in federal, state, and institutional aid programs. As a public institution in Texas, University of Houston-Clear Lake draws on Pell Grants, state grants, and institutional scholarships to reduce out-of-pocket costs, particularly for lower-income students. Families considering enrollment should compare the net price figures above against their expected aid package, since the net price illusion — the gap between published and actual cost — can be substantial at institutions with active need-based aid programs. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $17,831, compared with a peer median of $20,500. Families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $14,731; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at University of Houston-Clear Lake's median four-year earnings of $59,865, median federal debt of $17,831 projects to a monthly payment of about $201 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — 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
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
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.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Houston-Clear Lake's published cost of attendance is $24,622, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $7,330 per year in net price, middle-income families pay around $19,458, and higher-income families pay approximately $21,898.
Azimuth ranks University of Houston-Clear Lake #246 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
The gap between sticker price and what families actually pay reflects the university's participation in federal, state, and institutional aid programs. As a public institution in Texas, University of Houston-Clear Lake draws on Pell Grants, state grants, and institutional scholarships to reduce out-of-pocket costs, particularly for lower-income students.
Families considering enrollment should compare the net price figures above against their expected aid package, since the [net price illusion](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) — the gap between published and actual cost — can be substantial at institutions with active need-based aid programs. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $17,831, compared with a peer median of $20,500.
Families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $14,731; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at University of Houston-Clear Lake's median four-year earnings of $59,865, median federal debt of $17,831 projects to a monthly payment of about $201 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of University of Houston-Clear Lake earn median earnings of $59,865 four years after enrollment, placing University of Houston-Clear Lake in the 45.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure sits below the $56,249 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band).
Graduates earn about $6,627 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 80.0 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. Those figures still represent lifetime returns relative to TX's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $31,626, the state median earnings of working adults age 25–34 with only a high school credential.
The degree mix at University of Houston-Clear Lake is anchored in Business, which accounts for 26% of graduates, followed by Social Sciences at 5% and Engineering at 4%. Interdisciplinary Studies combines the largest cohort scale with competitive earnings, making it the program that contributes most to the institution's aggregate return.
Azimuth ranks Interdisciplinary Studies #44 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/), with 238 graduates earning median earnings of $57,065. The Psychology, General program graduates 122 students with median earnings of $48,885, and Azimuth ranks Business Administration #269 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with 118 graduates earning median earnings of $62,046.
Among the highest-earning programs, Azimuth ranks Accounting #159 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates earning median earnings of $70,134, and the The Biology, General program graduates 104 students with median earnings of $64,555.
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 |
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.
