University of Houston-Clear Lake vs Midwestern State University: which has better ROI?
University of Houston-Clear Lake has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $62,252 in 5.8 years versus 6.3 years at Midwestern State University, on median earnings of $59,004 vs $55,747 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Houston-Clear Lake | Midwestern State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,563 | $11,656 |
| Total net cost | $62,252 | $46,624 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,004 | $55,747 |
| Median debt | $17,831 | $21,030 |
| Payback | 5.8 yrs | 6.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $150,628 | $101,116 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Houston-Clear Lake or Midwestern State University?
Midwestern State University, at $11,656 a year after aid versus $15,563 — a gap of $3,907 a year, or $15,628 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Houston-Clear Lake or Midwestern State University graduates earn more?
University of Houston-Clear Lake graduates report a median $59,004 ten years after entry, $3,257 more than the $55,747 at Midwestern State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Houston-Clear Lake or Midwestern State University?
University of Houston-Clear Lake: its completers carry a median $17,831 in federal loans versus $21,030 at Midwestern State University, a difference of $3,199. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
52% of students finish at University of Houston-Clear Lake, against 43% at Midwestern State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.