UHCL vs. RU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Houston Clear Lake is larger than RU based on total student enrollment (8,137 students vs. 7,812 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Houston Clear Lake is located in Houston, TX (Large Suburban setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Houston Clear Lake is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston Clear Lake 15:1; Radford University 14:1.

UHCL vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UHCL or RU? 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 RU ($14,059 vs. $16,749).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Radford University are 1.1% lower than at University of Houston Clear Lake ($12,504 vs. $12,642).
• Radford University is 61.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UHCL (about $4,778 more per year; $12,548.00 vs. $7,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.4% higher at RU than at University of Houston Clear Lake (about $4,519 more per year; $25,633.00 vs. $21,114.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Radford University than at University of Houston Clear Lake (94% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Clear Lake students is 6.4% larger than aid received by Radford University students ($12,630 vs. $11,870).

UHCL vs. RU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UHCL or RU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between RU and UHCL.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Houston Clear Lake (1060) is 10 points higher than at RU (1050).
• Incoming UHCL students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 22) as students at RU (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Houston Clear Lake 970/1150; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Houston Clear Lake 20/25; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UHCL - Test optional; RU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UHCL Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UHCL students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at RU (3.31).
• UHCL has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than RU (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at UHCL vs. 14.4% at RU.

UHCL vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UHCL and RU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Radford University's six-year graduation rate is 56%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for UHCL.
• Graduates from University of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than RU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $47,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Clear Lake graduates have a $5,850 lower median loan debt than RU graduates ($17,150 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, UHCL graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RU graduates ($177 vs. $237).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UHCL students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.