The University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) is a prominent public university located in the vibrant city of Houston, Texas. Established in 1974, UHCL is known for its strong emphasis on providing high-quality education with a focus on student success and community engagement. The university offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs, particularly excelling in fields such as business, education, and science. With a commitment to fostering a collaborative learning environment, UHCL encourages students to participate in hands-on experiences, research opportunities, and internships, which significantly enhance their employability upon graduation.

The campus of UHCL is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that support both academic and extracurricular activities. The university prioritizes student life, offering various student organizations, clubs, and recreational activities that contribute to a vibrant campus culture. Moreover, the university's commitment to diversity and inclusion fosters a rich humanistic environment, making it a welcoming place for students from all backgrounds. As a result, UHCL has built a strong reputation for nurturing talent and promoting personal and professional growth, leading to high graduation rates and successful career placements for its graduates.

Observations on Tuition, Enrollment, and Graduation Rates at University of Houston--Clear Lake

The tuition trends at the University of Houston--Clear Lake reveal significant increases over the years, particularly for out-of-state undergraduate students. In 2014, the out-of-state tuition was approximately $15,642, which escalated to $22,506 by 2024, reflecting a staggering rise of about 44%. Conversely, in-state undergraduate tuition also saw a notable increase from $5,706 to $8,322, marking a 46% rise over the same period. This trend may raise concerns for prospective students and their families regarding affordability and financial planning, especially in an economic climate where student debt is a growing concern nationwide.

In terms of student enrollment, there has been a gradual increase in the undergraduate population from 4,541 in 2013 to a peak of 6,764 in 2022, followed by a decline to 6,352 in 2023. This fluctuation could indicate a shift in student interest or external factors influencing enrollment decisions, such as the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic or changes in institutional offerings.

Graduation rates also present a mixed picture. The on-time graduation rate for undergraduates stands at approximately 30.7%, with an extended graduation rate of about 52%. These figures suggest that while a substantial number of students struggle to complete their degrees within the traditional timeframe, there is a notable portion that eventually graduates, albeit later. This could signal potential challenges in student support services or academic preparedness.

Retention rates reflect a similar trend, with a significant drop to 66.5% in 2023, down from a high of 80.5% in 2020. This decrease may be indicative of various challenges faced by students, possibly exacerbated by the challenges posed by the pandemic, including mental health issues and academic disruptions.

Overall, while the University of Houston--Clear Lake shows promising enrollment numbers, the rising tuition costs and declining retention rates warrant a closer examination to ensure that the institution remains accessible and supportive for its students.

Analysis of Degree Completion Trends at University of Houston--Clear Lake

The data from the University of Houston--Clear Lake reveals notable trends in degree completions across various disciplines in 2023. A significant observation is the dominance of the Business Administration and Management program, which saw a total of 115 master's degree graduates, with 3 of those being international students. This indicates a strong interest in business education, reflective of the growing demand for skilled professionals in the global marketplace.

In the realm of computer science, while there were no bachelor's degree completions, the master's program produced 117 graduates, with an impressive majority of 115 being international students. This trend suggests that the field is particularly attractive to international students, likely due to the high demand for tech talent in the job market.

Conversely, the Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies program reported a substantial 282 bachelor's degree graduates with just one international student. This disparity highlights a potential area for growth in attracting international students to interdisciplinary studies, which can offer diverse career paths and skills applicable in various fields.

The health and medical management programs also demonstrated a strong completion rate, particularly at the master's level with 78 graduates, of which 7 were international. This aligns with the increasing global focus on health education and management, especially in the post-pandemic era where healthcare systems are under scrutiny and demand for management professionals is on the rise.

Overall, the data indicates a robust interest in business and technology-focused programs at the University of Houston--Clear Lake, while also presenting opportunities for increasing international student enrollment in other disciplines. This pattern reflects broader trends in higher education, where business and STEM fields continue to attract significant attention from students worldwide.

The University of Houston--Clear Lake has shown a dynamic trend in its admission statistics over the years from 2015 to 2023. Notably, the acceptance rates for both male and female students have generally increased. In 2015, the acceptance rates were around 57.5% for males and 57.3% for females. By 2022, these rates had significantly increased to approximately 91.7% for males and 90.9% for females. This upward trend in acceptance rates suggests a shift towards a more inclusive approach in admissions. Interestingly, the number of students who enrolled each year has also increased, from 234 in 2015 to a peak of 363 in 2021, though it slightly dipped to 334 in 2022 and rose again to 353 in 2023. This indicates a growing interest and confidence in the institution among prospective students. However, the number of students who were accepted but deferred their admission has also increased dramatically, from 366 in 2015 to 1301 in 2022, and slightly decreased to 1024 in 2023. This might reflect broader trends in higher education, where students are increasingly taking gap years or delaying their studies due to personal, economic, or global factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The university's ranking in the US News has also improved, from not being ranked in the earlier years to achieving a rank of 331 in 2023 and further improving to 304 in 2024. This improvement in ranking could be attributed to several factors, including enhanced academic programs, student services, and overall institutional reputation. Overall, while the University of Houston--Clear Lake has made strides in improving its acceptance rates and institutional ranking, the increasing number of deferred admissions might be an area to explore further to understand and address the underlying reasons.

Observations on University of Houston--Clear Lake Admission Test Scores

The data on SAT and ACT scores for the University of Houston--Clear Lake from 2007 to 2023 reveals several trends and shifts in student performance and testing preferences. Initially, from 2007 to 2014, there is a notable absence of detailed data, which makes it challenging to analyze trends for this period. However, starting from 2015, the data becomes more comprehensive.

From 2015 onwards, we observe a gradual increase in the number of students submitting SAT scores, peaking in 2020 with 296 submissions, which constituted 88% of the accepted students that year. This trend indicates a growing reliance on SAT scores for admissions during these years. However, there is a sharp decline in SAT submissions in 2022, with only 208 students (62%) submitting scores, plummeting further to 109 submissions (31%) in 2023. This drastic drop could be attributed to the broader shift in higher education institutions making standardized test submissions optional, particularly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on testing accessibility.

Examining the SAT and ACT score ranges, there is a noticeable consistency in the performance of accepted students. For instance, SAT reading scores ranged from 460-580 in 2015, gradually increasing to 520-610 in 2019 before slightly declining to 488-590 in 2022. Similarly, SAT math scores followed a comparable trend. The ACT composite, English, and math scores also show similar patterns with minor fluctuations over the years.

The data suggests that the University of Houston--Clear Lake maintains a relatively stable academic standard for admissions, even as the number of test submissions fluctuates. The recent decline in test submissions aligns with the national trend of universities adopting test-optional policies, reflecting a shift towards a more holistic admissions process. This transition may continue to influence future trends in standardized test submissions and scores at the university.

Student Demographics at University of Houston--Clear Lake in 2023

The University of Houston--Clear Lake presents a diverse and gender-balanced student population in 2023, with distinct compositions across different student categories. The undergraduate freshmen cohort comprises 353 students, with a notable majority of females (58.6%) compared to males (41.4%). This trend of higher female representation continues among undergraduate juniors and seniors, with 63.6% female and 36.4% male among 4,944 students. Similarly, undergraduate transfer students show a 61.6% female and 38.4% male distribution among 1,046 individuals.

Graduate students, totaling 2,210, also follow this pattern, with females making up 64.0% and males 36.0%. Interestingly, a small group of non-degree students has the highest female representation at 77.8%, though their total number is just 9.

Breaking down racial and ethnic compositions, white students constitute a significant portion across all categories but are not the majority. For instance, among undergraduate freshmen, white students number 105, with a relatively balanced gender ratio. Similar patterns are observed among juniors, transfer students, and graduate students, with the white population ranging from 312 to 1,590 individuals. Other racial and ethnic groups, including Asian, Latino, Pacific Islander, African American, and international students, contribute to the university's multicultural environment, reflecting broader demographic trends in higher education.

This gender and ethnic diversity is indicative of a broader trend in higher education where institutions strive for inclusive environments. These statistics can help the university in tailoring specific support and resources for different student groups, ensuring equitable access to education and fostering a thriving academic community.

The student age distribution at the University of Houston--Clear Lake for 2023 reveals several interesting trends. The largest age group for both undergraduate and graduate students falls within the 22-24 age range, comprising 735 undergraduate men, 1243 undergraduate women, 204 graduate men, and 327 graduate women. This age group is significantly dominant, indicating that most students likely transition from undergraduate to graduate studies within this timeframe if they continue their education.

In terms of gender distribution, undergraduate women outnumber undergraduate men across all age categories. For instance, in the 18-19 age group, there are 380 undergraduate women compared to 224 undergraduate men. This trend continues in older age categories as well, with 710 undergraduate women versus 427 undergraduate men in the 20-21 age group. This suggests that more women are pursuing undergraduate education at this institution.

Graduate studies show a more balanced gender distribution, especially in older age groups. For example, in the 30-34 age group, there are 114 graduate men and 219 graduate women. Similarly, in the 40-49 age group, there are 74 graduate men and 197 graduate women. This may reflect a higher tendency for women to return to or continue their education later in life.

The smallest age group is those over 65, with only 9 men and 12 women. This could indicate that very few students are pursuing higher education at this age, possibly due to career culmination or other life commitments.

Overall, the data suggests a strong participation of women in both undergraduate and graduate programs, with a noticeable trend of older students, particularly women, engaging in graduate studies. This may reflect broader societal trends of increasing educational attainment among women and the pursuit of advanced degrees later in life.

The University of Houston--Clear Lake's international student enrollment data from 2004 to 2023 provides intriguing insights into the institution's demographic trends. Overall, the total number of undergraduate students has shown a general increase over the years, peaking in 2022 with 6,764 students, before dropping slightly in 2023 to 6,352. However, the proportion of international undergraduate students has remained relatively low, oscillating around 1.2% to 3.3% over the years. The highest percentage was in 2007 at 3.27%, while the lowest was in 2021 at 1.19%.

In contrast, the graduate student population exhibits a more notable presence of international students. From 2004 to 2023, the percentage of international graduate students saw significant fluctuations, reaching its zenith in 2016 at 39.9%. This peak was followed by a sharp decline, dropping to 10.89% in 2021. Despite the recent decline, the percentage of international graduate students remains considerably higher than that of undergraduates, suggesting a stronger appeal or greater opportunities for international students at the graduate level.

These trends might reflect broader shifts in global student mobility and the university's strategies in attracting international talent. Factors such as changes in visa policies, geopolitical tensions, or the global pandemic's impact on travel and study abroad could have influenced these numbers. Additionally, the data suggests that while the university has a growing overall student body, the recruitment and retention of international students, particularly at the undergraduate level, might benefit from more targeted efforts and support.

Here are some notable universities surrounding the University of Houston--Clear Lake:

1. Rice University - Ranked 17th in the 2024 US News rankings, Rice University is a prestigious institution renowned for its research programs and small student-to-faculty ratio.

2. Texas A & M University-College Station - This university is ranked 47th and is known for its strong engineering, business, and agricultural programs.

3. The University of Texas at Austin - With a ranking of 32, UT Austin is one of the largest and most respected universities in the nation, particularly in engineering, business, and liberal arts.

4. Southern Methodist University - Ranked 89th, SMU is known for its beautiful campus and strong programs in business and law.

5. Baylor University - Holding the 93rd position, Baylor is a private Christian university with strong programs in health sciences, law, and business.

These institutions highlight the academic diversity and opportunities available to students in the Houston area.

The University of Houston--Clear Lake's campus crime and misconduct data from 2013 to 2023 reveals some concerning trends. Over the decade, there has been a noticeable increase in the crime and misconduct rates per 1000 students, peaking in 2023 with a rate of 3.06, up from 0.37 in 2013. This indicates that despite the fluctuations in annual total crimes, the overall trend is upward.

A closer look at the subdata categories such as gun-related arrests, drug-related arrests, and alcohol-related arrests shows varying levels of incidents, with specific spikes in certain years. For instance, 2016 saw a sharp increase in gun-related offenses and other serious crimes like robbery and assault. The consistency of alcohol and drug-related incidents reflects a broader issue with substance abuse on campus, common across many universities in the U.S.

The impact of broader societal issues such as the opioid crisis and increasing gun violence may also reflect on these statistics. The year 2023's spike could be indicative of post-pandemic societal shifts, where economic stress and mental health issues have become more pronounced, potentially leading to higher rates of campus crime.

This data underscores the importance of robust campus security measures and mental health support systems. Universities must actively engage in preventive strategies, including counseling, substance abuse programs, and stringent security protocols to curtail this rising trend. Additionally, fostering a campus culture that emphasizes safety and responsibility among students is crucial.

For more details on how crime rates per 1000 students are calculated, please refer to the following link: Crime Rate Calculation Method.