South Texas College combines exceptional affordability with meaningful earnings growth, serving diverse populations including 60.9% first-generation students. As an Opportunity Builder institution, the college generates $4,286 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining among the lowest net prices nationally.
Lower absolute earnings levels despite positive earnings growth
With among the highest performance we track, reflecting minimal costs and exceptional value delivery
With top-tier performance, indicating strong enrollment of Pell-eligible, first-generation, and transfer students
With top-tier performance, reflecting the institution's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisSouth Texas College delivers exceptional value through remarkably low costs and meaningful earnings growth. With an average net price of just $1,291, the institution ranks among the most affordable in the nation.
Net prices range from $895 for low-income families to $5,020 for high-income families, creating a progressive cost structure that prioritizes accessibility. Graduates earn $4,286 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in generating earnings uplift despite serving predominantly first-generation and transfer populations.
Students seeking excellent affordability and access at a Hispanic-Serving Institution serving diverse learners. Well-suited for first-generation students (60.9%) and Pell-eligible students (35.9%) seeking low-cost education with above-average earnings growth potential.
The Opportunity Builders designation reflects strong community-focused educational pathways for students from varied academic backgrounds.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the South Texas College hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/south-texas-college/analysis.
Exceptional affordability and access
South Texas College ranks #145 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with top-tier performance at the 92.8th percentile. Located in McAllen, Texas, this large public institution delivers exceptional affordability, ranking at the 97.6th percentile with among the highest performance we track.
The college demonstrates excellent access performance at the 94.3rd percentile, serving 35.9% Pell-eligible students and 60.9% first-generation students. With 47.1% transfer students, South Texas College functions as a critical educational bridge for diverse learners.
Graduates earn $4,286 beyond expectations relative to similar student populations, placing the institution at the 71.6th percentile for earnings uplift. While median earnings of $36,788 rank at the 16th percentile nationally, the combination of exceptional affordability and meaningful earnings growth positions South Texas College as an Opportunity Builder institution, where access and value intersect for community-focused education.
Computer and Information Sciences, General.
87 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations.
283 graduates
Health and Medical Administrative Services.
78 graduates
South Texas College currently lacks sufficient federal earnings data for individual program rankings in our system. The institution operates as a comprehensive community college with diverse academic offerings, but federal College Scorecard reporting requirements limit visibility into program-specific outcomes.
This reflects the institution's mission as a broad-access provider serving varied educational pathways, including workforce preparation, transfer preparation, and continuing education. Students benefit from the institution's low-cost structure across all academic areas, with consistent affordability and access benefits regardless of field of study.
The absence of program-level earnings data does not diminish the institution's documented success in generating earnings beyond expectations and serving first-generation and transfer populations effectively.
South Texas College delivers exceptional affordability with an average net price of $1,291, ranking among the most cost-effective institutions nationally. Compared to a peer median net price of $14,170, students save $12,879 annually through South Texas College's pricing structure.
In-state tuition stands at $4,920, with out-of-state tuition at $7,500, but substantial financial aid reduces actual costs dramatically across all income levels. The institution's affordability index ranks at the 97.6th percentile with among the highest performance we track, reflecting the combination of low sticker prices and effective aid targeting.
This pricing structure supports the institution's mission as a community-focused provider, making higher education accessible to diverse populations including 35.9% Pell-eligible and 60.9% first-generation students. The gap between sticker price and net price demonstrates substantial aid effectiveness, particularly benefiting lower-income families who represent a significant portion of the student body.
South Texas College graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over time, with median earnings rising from $28,239 six years after enrollment to $31,909 at eight years and $36,788 at ten years. This represents 30.3% growth from the six-year to ten-year mark, indicating steady career advancement despite starting salaries that rank below national averages.
Ten-year outcomes are based on a cohort of 9,610 graduates, providing high confidence in reported figures, while earlier cohorts include 7,444 six-year and 8,753 eight-year graduates. Earnings span from $19,244 at the 25th percentile to $57,873 at the 75th percentile, reflecting a 3.0:1 ratio between top and bottom quartiles.
Low-income graduates earn $35,600, approaching the overall median and demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for disadvantaged populations. The $4,286 in earnings beyond expectations places South Texas College at the 71.6th percentile nationally for generating positive outcomes relative to student demographics and educational context.
