Head-to-head comparison
Southern Methodist University vs University of Houston-Clear Lake: which has better ROI?
Option A Dallas, TX
Southern Methodist University
- Net price / year
- $40,892
- Earnings, 10 years
- $78,354
- Payback
- 5.5 yrs
Option B Houston, TX
University of Houston-Clear Lake
- Net price / year
- $15,563
- Earnings, 10 years
- $59,004
- Payback
- 5.8 yrs
Southern Methodist University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $163,568 in 5.5 years versus 5.8 years at University of Houston-Clear Lake, on median earnings of $78,354 vs $59,004 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Southern Methodist University | University of Houston-Clear Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $40,892 | $15,563 |
| Total net cost | $163,568 | $62,252 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $78,354 | $59,004 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $17,831 |
| Payback | 5.5 yrs | 5.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $436,312 | $150,628 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Southern Methodist University or University of Houston-Clear Lake?
University of Houston-Clear Lake, at $15,563 a year after aid versus $40,892 — a gap of $25,329 a year, or $101,316 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Southern Methodist University or University of Houston-Clear Lake graduates earn more?
Southern Methodist University graduates report a median $78,354 ten years after entry, $19,350 more than the $59,004 at University of Houston-Clear Lake. 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Southern Methodist University or University of Houston-Clear Lake?
University of Houston-Clear Lake: its completers carry a median $17,831 in federal loans versus $19,500 at Southern Methodist University, a difference of $1,669. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
84% of students finish at Southern Methodist University, against 52% at University of Houston-Clear Lake. 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.