University of Houston-Clear Lake vs Texas A&M University-Victoria: which has better ROI?
Texas A&M University-Victoria has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $32,436 in 5.3 years versus 5.8 years at University of Houston-Clear Lake, on median earnings of $54,467 vs $59,004 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Houston-Clear Lake | Texas A&M University-Victoria |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,563 | $8,109 |
| Total net cost | $62,252 | $32,436 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,004 | $54,467 |
| Median debt | $17,831 | $18,973 |
| Payback | 5.8 yrs | 5.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $150,628 | $89,704 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Houston-Clear Lake or Texas A&M University-Victoria?
Texas A&M University-Victoria, at $8,109 a year after aid versus $15,563 — a gap of $7,454 a year, or $29,816 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 Texas A&M University-Victoria graduates earn more?
University of Houston-Clear Lake graduates report a median $59,004 ten years after entry, $4,537 more than the $54,467 at Texas A&M University-Victoria. 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 Texas A&M University-Victoria?
University of Houston-Clear Lake: its completers carry a median $17,831 in federal loans versus $18,973 at Texas A&M University-Victoria, a difference of $1,142. 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 26% at Texas A&M University-Victoria. 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.