At $11,056/yr net price, University of Houston-Clear Lake graduates earn $59,004/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $25,004/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,056 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $44,224 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $59,004/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$25,004/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 50.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $17,831 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,818/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,760/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,994/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,555/yr |
| $110,001+ | $22,367/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Master | $103,078 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $78,343 | $25,790 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $78,343 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $64,493 | $31,778 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $61,814 | $15,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $60,128 | $27,020 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $59,666 | $24,023 |
| Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies. | Master | $58,221 | |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Master | $57,318 | |
| Communications Technology/Technician. | Master | $56,415 |
The Risk Factor
50.9% of students at University of Houston-Clear Lake graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
The financial return at University of Houston-Clear Lake is solid for a public school, mostly because it stays cheap. You borrow a median of about $18,000 to earn nearly $59,000 a decade out, so debt is comfortably covered by earnings for most graduates. That ratio is the school's strongest selling point, not any single high-paying degree.
Computer Engineering is the clear winner here: it pays the most and carries the lowest debt of the top programs, so you leave with more income and less to repay. The business cluster,Finance, general Business, and Management Information Systems,all land in the high $40,000s to low $50,000s but come with heavier borrowing near $19,000, so the gap between them and engineering is real. Natural Resources Conservation sits in the low $50,000s. There's no bachelor-level data here showing a program that flops, but the softer-paying majors give you less cushion against that debt.
The main risk is finishing at all. Only about half of students graduate, and roughly a quarter don't return after year one. If you drop out, you keep the loans without the earnings that justify them, and that's where this school can burn you.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families sharply. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay under $8,000 a year. Cross $75,000 and the price jumps to roughly $19,000-$22,000, closer to double. So this is a strong value if you qualify for need-based aid and a middling one if you're a higher-income family paying near the full sticker.
Pick UHCL if you're a Houston-area student aiming at engineering or business who can commit to finishing. If you can't picture yourself graduating, the completion odds make the cheap price a weaker bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Houston-Clear Lake worth the cost?
UH-Clear Lake offers solid value with a low net price of $11,056 and median debt of just $17,831. Engineering graduates earn over $100,000 annually, making it worthwhile for STEM fields, though the 51% graduation rate is concerning.
What are the highest paying majors at University of Houston-Clear Lake?
Engineering-related fields lead at $103,078 annually, followed by business administration at $78,343. These programs offer strong ROI given the school's low cost, while other majors may struggle to justify the investment.
How much debt do University of Houston-Clear Lake graduates have?
Median debt is $17,831, which is manageable compared to national averages. With 10-year earnings of $59,004, most graduates can handle this debt load, especially those in engineering or business programs.
Does University of Houston-Clear Lake have good job placement?
The 51% graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete their programs. However, those who do graduate and enter high-demand fields like engineering see strong employment prospects in the Houston job market.