Computer Engineering at University of Houston-Clear Lake

At $63,751 in first-year earnings, University of Houston-Clear Lake's Computer Engineering program starts about $15,000 below the Texas median—a significant gap when peers at Texas A&M and Texas Tech launch careers in the mid-$80s. What's particularly concerning is the 5th percentile national ranking, suggesting this program struggles to connect graduates with the caliber of employers typically recruiting computer engineers. While earnings do climb 27% to reach $80,615 by year four, that still only brings graduates to the state median by the time most engineers are mid-career.

The debt picture offers a small consolation: at $22,238, it matches the state median and creates a manageable 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio. However, this reasonable debt load doesn't offset the fundamental earnings disadvantage. When computer engineering programs at nearby University of Houston start graduates $17,000 higher, that first-year gap alone exceeds the total debt burden.

For families considering this program, the core question is whether the access provided by Clear Lake's 75% admission rate justifies the earnings tradeoff. If your student can gain admission to UT Arlington, University of Houston, or Texas Tech—all offering substantially higher starting salaries—those represent better investments. This program might make sense as a backup option for students who need the flexibility Clear Lake provides, but it shouldn't be the first choice when stronger computer engineering options exist within the same state system.