NSU vs. UHCL

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD with University of Houston Clear Lake in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Houston Clear Lake is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (8,137 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern State University is located in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting); University of Houston Clear Lake is in Houston, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Clear Lake is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern State University 19:1; University of Houston Clear Lake 15:1.

NSU vs. UHCL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or UHCL? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Houston Clear Lake than NSU ($14,059 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 16.2% lower than at University of Houston Clear Lake ($10,600 vs. $12,642).
• Northern State University is 13.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UHCL (about $1,075 more per year; $8,845.00 vs. $7,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.7% higher at UHCL than at Northern State University (about $9,167 more per year; $21,114.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at University of Houston Clear Lake (97% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Clear Lake students is 96.1% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($12,630 vs. $6,441).

NSU vs. UHCL Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or UHCL? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UHCL and NSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern State University (1070) is 10 points higher than at UHCL (1060).
• Incoming UHCL students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at NSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern State University 980/1160; University of Houston Clear Lake 970/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern State University 18/24; University of Houston Clear Lake 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; UHCL - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UHCL Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UHCL students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at NSU (3.37).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than UHCL (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.2% at NSU vs. 22.2% at UHCL.

NSU vs. UHCL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and UHCL? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from University of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of about $16,300 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Clear Lake graduates have a $7,249 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($17,150 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, UHCL graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($177 vs. $252).
• More NSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UHCL students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.