More selective than 30% of Texas colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
75% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 7% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose UHCL over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What UHCL weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as UHCL reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- Rigor of high school courses
- Class rank
- High school GPA
- SAT/ACT scores
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- First-generation college student
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Interview
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Where you live
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
- Your demonstrated interest
Item C7. Common Data Set 2024-25 (fall 2024 first-year students), published by the college.
High school GPA of UHCL first-year students
Share of fall 2024 first-year students in each high school GPA range; the average was 3.40. Colleges report GPAs as they record them, weighted or not.
98% of first-year students reported a high school GPA.
Items C11-C12; enrolled students, not admitted students. Common Data Set 2024-25 (fall 2024 first-year students), published by the college.
UHCL SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, UHCL is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 490 | 580 |
| SAT math | 480 | 570 |
| ACT composite | 20 | 25 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 970 | 1150 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
UHCL admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 91% | 490–580 | 480–570 | 20–25 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 75% | 500–590 | 490–580 | 18–23 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is UHCL compared with other Texas colleges?
UHCL has the 49th-lowest acceptance rate of 70 Texas colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | University of St Thomas | 90% | 69% | $19,359 |
| 46 | University of Houston-Downtown | 90% | 33% | $10,542 |
| 47 | Hardin-Simmons University | 90% | 46% | $19,555 |
| 48 | Sam Houston State University | 90% | 55% | $16,404 |
| 49 | University of Houston-Clear Lake | 91% | 52% | $15,563 |
| 50 | Texas A&M University-Kingsville | 91% | 42% | $12,090 |
| 51 | Concordia University Texas | 91% | 45% | $23,131 |
| 52 | East Texas A&M University | 92% | 43% | $11,841 |
| 53 | Texas A&M University-San Antonio | 93% | 40% | $11,196 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Texas colleges →
Who enrolls at UHCL
College Scorecard; IPEDS
UHCL admissions questions
What is the UHCL acceptance rate?
University of Houston-Clear Lake accepts 91% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 1,768 of 2,348 applicants were admitted.
Does UHCL require the SAT or ACT?
University of Houston-Clear Lake considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 75% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 7% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for UHCL?
The middle 50% of University of Houston-Clear Lake enrolled first-year students scored 970–1150 on the SAT and 20–25 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at UHCL?
25% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (439 of 1,768).
What does UHCL look for in applicants?
University of Houston-Clear Lake reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, class rank, high school GPA. Considered: sAT/ACT scores, extracurricular activities, talent or ability, character and personal qualities, first-generation college student, volunteer work, work experience. (Common Data Set 2024-25).
Is UHCL getting harder to get into?
University of Houston-Clear Lake accepted 91% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 75% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; UHCL's Common Data Set 2024-25; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to University of Houston-Clear Lake overview