Computer Science at University of Houston-Clear Lake

University of Houston-Clear Lake graduates with computer science degrees start at nearly $66,000—a respectable entry point with very manageable debt. The problem? They're earning less four years later, and among the 31 Texas schools offering this degree, they rank in just the 25th percentile. The state's median CS graduate earns $82,000, about $18,000 more annually than UHCL grads four years out. Even nearby University of Texas at Arlington places graduates earning $85,000.

The debt situation is actually fine—$22,000 is reasonable and less than both state and national medians. But when your child could earn $260,000 more over a decade by choosing UT Arlington or Texas A&M (both public universities with similar in-state tuition), the opportunity cost becomes significant. Houston's strong tech market should be lifting these numbers, not dragging them down.

For families prioritizing accessibility—UHCL has a 75% admission rate and serves many Pell grant recipients—this program provides a legitimate path into tech work. The debt won't be crushing. But if your student can gain admission to a stronger public option in Texas, the earnings gap is too substantial to ignore. The difference between 25th and 75th percentile in this state isn't about prestige; it's about $20,000+ per year in actual paychecks.