University of Houston-Clear Lake and Texas A&M University-College Station offer distinct educational experiences with notable differences in selectivity and scale.
Admission and Cost: Texas A&M is more competitive with a 62.65% acceptance rate compared to UH-Clear Lake's 69.37%. However, UH-Clear Lake offers significantly lower costs with in-state tuition at $7,746 versus Texas A&M's $13,099. The net price difference is substantial: $11,056 at UH-Clear Lake compared to $20,924 at Texas A&M.
Academic Environment: Both universities maintain identical 19:1 student-faculty ratios, but their scales differ dramatically. Texas A&M enrolls 59,099 students while UH-Clear Lake serves 6,082, creating vastly different campus atmospheres. UH-Clear Lake focuses heavily on business, education, and applied sciences, while Texas A&M offers comprehensive programs across engineering, agriculture, business, and liberal arts.
Student Success: Texas A&M demonstrates superior retention (94.25% vs 75.26%) and graduation rates (83.80% vs 50.90%). Ten-year median earnings favor Texas A&M graduates at $72,097 compared to $59,004 for UH-Clear Lake alumni. Both schools maintain similar debt levels around $17,800.
Campus Experience: Texas A&M provides the traditional college experience with NCAA Division I athletics, extensive research opportunities, and strong alumni networks. UH-Clear Lake offers a more intimate, professionally-focused environment with flexibility for working students.
UH-Clear Lake suits cost-conscious students seeking practical, career-oriented education in a smaller setting, while Texas A&M better serves students wanting the full university experience with stronger academic outcomes and extensive resources.
Admission and Cost: Texas A&M is more competitive with a 62.65% acceptance rate compared to UH-Clear Lake's 69.37%. However, UH-Clear Lake offers significantly lower costs with in-state tuition at $7,746 versus Texas A&M's $13,099. The net price difference is substantial: $11,056 at UH-Clear Lake compared to $20,924 at Texas A&M.
Academic Environment: Both universities maintain identical 19:1 student-faculty ratios, but their scales differ dramatically. Texas A&M enrolls 59,099 students while UH-Clear Lake serves 6,082, creating vastly different campus atmospheres. UH-Clear Lake focuses heavily on business, education, and applied sciences, while Texas A&M offers comprehensive programs across engineering, agriculture, business, and liberal arts.
Student Success: Texas A&M demonstrates superior retention (94.25% vs 75.26%) and graduation rates (83.80% vs 50.90%). Ten-year median earnings favor Texas A&M graduates at $72,097 compared to $59,004 for UH-Clear Lake alumni. Both schools maintain similar debt levels around $17,800.
Campus Experience: Texas A&M provides the traditional college experience with NCAA Division I athletics, extensive research opportunities, and strong alumni networks. UH-Clear Lake offers a more intimate, professionally-focused environment with flexibility for working students.
UH-Clear Lake suits cost-conscious students seeking practical, career-oriented education in a smaller setting, while Texas A&M better serves students wanting the full university experience with stronger academic outcomes and extensive resources.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| University of Houston-Clear Lake | Texas A & M University-College Station | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 69.4% | 62.7% |
| SAT Average | 1,082 | 1,270 |
| Enrollment | 6,082 | 59,099 |
| In-State Tuition | $7,746 | $13,099 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $21,330 | $40,328 |
| Net Price | $11,056 | $20,924 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 50.9% | 83.8% |
| Retention Rate | 75.3% | 94.3% |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $59,004 | $72,097 |
| Median Debt | $17,831 | $17,804 |
Top Programs by Earnings
Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.
| University of Houston-Clear Lake | Texas A & M University-College Station | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Earnings | Program | Earnings |
| Computer Engineering. | $61,814 | Petroleum Engineering. | $92,124 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | $52,107 | Marine Transportation. | $86,129 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | $50,717 | Chemical Engineering. | $80,669 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | $49,996 | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $77,062 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | $49,631 | Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $77,024 |