University of Houston, Clear Lake

What University of Houston, Clear Lake does

University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) is a public university established in 1974 and operating as part of the University of Houston System under the Texas State University System. It is domiciled in Houston, Texas on a 524-acre main campus adjacent to NASA Johnson Space Center, with extension sites at Pearland and the Texas Medical Center, plus fully online degree programs. The institution serves undergraduate and graduate students through four colleges, offering more than 40 minors and programs spanning STEM, business, education, healthcare administration, and liberal arts. Its flagship academic product is the ABET-accredited Computer Engineering program, which includes a BS, an MS with five specialization areas (robotics, integrated circuits, digital signal and image processing, communication and networks, and embedded system design), and a 5-year accelerated BS/MS dual-degree pathway.

The Center for Robotics Software (CRS), launched June 7, 2017, serves as the hub for UHCL's robotics research and education with emphasis on Robot Operating System (ROS) applications and NASA partnerships. CRS has produced competitive entries in NASA Swarmathon (second place, 2018), NASA Space Robotics Challenge Phase 2 (qualification, 2021), and NASA Lunabotics Challenge (top 35 of 60+ institutions, 2025). Auxiliary operations include the Bayou Theater performing arts venue, KidsU summer youth programs, the Environmental Institute of Houston, the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Cyber Security Institute, Exercise and Nutritional Health Institute, and Psychological Services.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees structured by residency status (in-state vs. out-of-state), state appropriations, federal and state grants (including a $949,914 U.S. Department of Education award in January 2023 and a $51,210 Texas Workforce Commission award in July 2022), and auxiliary services such as dining (operated through an exclusive Chartwells partnership yielding ~$1,900 annual Dining Dollar plans for on-campus residents) and Hawk Card services. Two out of three UHCL students receive some form of financial aid. Customer acquisition is community-led, relying on campus visits, transfer articulation agreements with community colleges (including San Jacinto College), outreach to local school districts (e.g., Pasadena ISD), and digital presence across web, newsroom, and social channels. Strategic procurement partnerships include exclusive agreements with The Coca-Cola Company (cold drinks vending) and Canteen Vending (snack and coffee vending) executed at the University of Houston System level.

Name

University of Houston, Clear Lake

Legal name

University of Houston-Clear Lake

Website

https://uhcl.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

University of Houston-Clear Lake is a public four-year university established in 1974 and part of the University of Houston System, serving undergraduate and graduate students in the Houston region with a STEM-focused curriculum built around its NASA Johnson Space Center adjacency and ABET-accredited computer engineering programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Public university charging tuition based on residency status (in-state vs out-of-state) for undergraduate and graduate programs. Revenue from student tuition, fees, and related educational services.
2. Auxiliary Services - Dining: On-campus dining services operated by Chartwells, including Patio Café, Starbucks, Hawk's Coffee House, and catering services through Fresh Fork. Revenue from meal plans (required for on-campus residents) and optional dining dollars for commuters.
3. Hawk Card Services: ID card services providing building access, meal plan management, and campus services. Revenue from replacement card fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

University of Houston-Clear Lake is a public university that delivers undergraduate and graduate degree programs (with ABET-accredited Computer Engineering as a flagship) anchored by the Center for Robotics Software, which conducts NASA-aligned robotics research using the Robot Operating System. The institution supplements its academic degree programs with auxiliary services including campus dining, residential housing, performing arts, summer youth programs (KidsU), and continuing professional education.

Product overview

University of Houston-Clear Lake is a public university offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Its primary academic products include the ABET-accredited Computer Engineering (CENG) program with Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and an accelerated 5-year B.S./M.S. Dual Degree tracks. The Center for Robotics Software (CRS) serves as the hub for robotics research and education, offering students opportunities to participate in NASA competitions including Lunabotics and Space Robotics Challenge. Beyond degree programs, UHCL provides enrichment offerings including the annual Greater Houston Area STEM Conference, the Bayou Theater performing arts venue, KidsU summer youth programs, and campus dining services operated through Chartwells.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Computer Engineering (CENG) Bachelor of Science Program ABET-accredited undergraduate degree program emphasizing large and small computer systems for industrial, scientific, and business applications, with hands-on experience in robotics, digital system design, communication and networks, microcontrollers, and microprocessors.
• Computer Engineering (CENG) Master of Science Program Graduate program offering five specialization areas—robotics, integrated circuits and systems, digital signal and image processing, communication and networks, and embedded system design—combining formal coursework, laboratory work, and faculty-guided research.
• 5-Year Computer Engineering B.S./M.S. Dual Degree Program Accelerated combined-degree program allowing high-performing undergraduates to take up to six graduate credit hours applied to both degrees and complete both in five years.
• Center for Robotics Software (CRS) University center that leverages technical infrastructure between NASA, academia, and industry to identify and solve challenging automation and robotics problems, with emphasis on Robot Operating System (ROS) applications for controlling robots.
• KidsU Summer Youth Program Summer youth program at UHCL combining education and enjoyment for young people from the broader community.
• UHCL Dining Services Campus dining services operated in partnership with Chartwells, offering meals including Starbucks beverages, sandwiches, salad bar, and grill items at Patio Café and Hawk's Coffee House in the Bayou Building, with required meal plans for on-campus residents and optional Hawk Bucks for commuters.
• Bayou Theater University performing arts venue and theater program offering cultural events and performances for students and the wider community, supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Two out of three students receive financial aid
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major, core, operational and emerging.

• Texas Medical CentermajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2022Healthcare Administration Program relocated to new facility at Texas Medical Center, one of the world's largest medical complexes.
• San Jacinto CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 April 2018Combined UHCL-SJC team competed in NASA Swarmathon competition and won second place in Mission to Mars competition at Kennedy Space Center.
• NASA Software, Robotics and Simulation DivisioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 June 2017NASA Division Chief Robert O. Ambrose and NASA Robotics Engineer Kimberly Hambuchen participated in Center for Robotics Software kickoff. Division provides technical consultation and collaborative research opportunities.
• Jacobs Oceaneering Space SystemsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 June 2017Jacobs contractor Court Edmonson participated in Center for Robotics Software kickoff. Represents ongoing aerospace contractor community involvement with UHCL.
• NASA Johnson Space CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1974UHCL was created adjacent to NASA Johnson Space Center to meet vital demand for trained engineers, physicists and mathematicians for the U.S. space program. Faculty and students engage in robotics research, competitions, and NASA-related projects. Former NASA workers serve as faculty, bringing direct space program experience.
• ChartwellsoperationalOthersExclusive agreement gives Chartwells rights to operate on-campus food service operation. UHCL Auxiliary Services serves as liaison between Chartwells and university.
• The Coca-Cola CompanyoperationalOthersExclusive agreement with University of Houston System to provide cold drinks vending machines on campus.
• Canteen VendingoperationalOthersExclusive agreement with University of Houston System to provide snack and coffee vending machines on campus.
• Vidya AIemergingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAI edtech startup providing grading and learning assistant tools for STEM disciplines. UHCL adopted the platform alongside five other universities including UT Dallas and San Jose State.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• University of Houston: Main campus of the University of Houston System; comparable Texas public research university serving the Houston metro with a much broader graduate/STEM portfolio. Same governing system and overlapping applicant pool make it the most direct peer.
• University of Houston-Downtown: Sister university within the University of Houston System serving a primarily undergraduate, commuter population in Houston. Closely comparable mission, governance, and student demographics to UHCL.
• University of Houston-Victoria: Third direct UH-System peer; a regional public university with strong online programs. Comparable scale and tuition-based model, though serving a different geographic submarket.
• Texas A&M University at Galveston: Texas A&M's coastal campus focused on marine, engineering, and sciences, also adjacent to NASA-region industries. Comparable STEM emphasis on real-world applied research and similar institutional size.
• Sam Houston State University: Mid-sized Texas public university with comparable scale, STEM offering, and admissions profile. Targets overlapping Texas-resident applicant pool and serves a similar commuter/residential mix.
• Texas State University: Another mid-sized Texas public university with broadly similar undergraduate/graduate mix and STEM programs. Comparable scale (10,000+ students) and tuition-based public funding model.
• Lamar University: Southeast Texas public university in Beaumont with engineering and computer science programs serving a comparable regional/transfer student base. Closest geographic peer for UHCL's Houston-Beaumont corridor.
• Stephen F. Austin State University: Texas public university of similar size and Carnegie classification. Comparable tuition model, STEM/health offerings, and reliance on state appropriations and federal grants.

Regional players

• San Jacinto College: Houston-area community college that partners with UHCL on transfer pipelines and co-competed with UHCL in NASA Swarmathon. Comparable two-year to four-year STEM continuum for Houston-area students, though serving a different tier.

Broad incumbents

• Rice University: Houston-based private research university with elite STEM brand and overlapping NASA/space research relationships. Competes for the same high-achieving STEM students and federal research dollars, but at very different scale and tuition structure.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/UHClearLake
• Facebookfacebook.com/271199144875
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/university-of-houston-clear-lake

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about University of Houston, Clear Lake