Students at Texas College benefit from exceptional affordability and access, with net prices well below typical private college costs and strong support for low-income and first-generation students.
The institution provides meaningful value for those who complete their degrees, though prospective students should carefully consider completion rate patterns when evaluating fit.
Texas College is a small private nonprofit institution in Tyler, Texas, that serves a predominantly low-income student population with exceptional access and affordability. More than 85% of students receive Pell Grants, and about 45% are first-generation college students, making it one of the most accessible institutions in the country for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The college offers very low net prices, particularly for middle-income families who pay around $8,403 annually, well below typical private college costs.
While Texas College excels at opening doors for students who might not otherwise attend college, the institution faces significant challenges in student completion and long-term outcomes. Graduation rates remain low, with only about 17% of students completing their degrees within eight years. The college falls into the "Under-Resourced Institutions" mobility quadrant, reflecting high access but limited resources to support students through to successful completion.
For families seeking an affordable private college option with strong financial aid and a supportive community environment, Texas College provides meaningful access to higher education. However, prospective students should carefully weigh the institution's completion challenges against their personal academic preparation and support needs when making enrollment decisions.
Texas College operates as a small liberal arts institution without the extensive program-level data available for larger universities. The college's academic offerings focus on foundational undergraduate programs designed to serve first-generation and low-income students, with an emphasis on providing accessible pathways to higher education rather than specialized high-earning career tracks.
The institution's approach prioritizes broad access and affordability over program specialization, reflecting its mission to serve students who might not otherwise have opportunities for private higher education. While specific program-level earnings data is limited, the college's overall outcomes suggest that graduates who complete their studies find stable employment, though at modest salary levels typical of the regional job market.
For students considering Texas College, the value proposition centers on the combination of private college experience, small class sizes, personalized attention, and exceptional affordability rather than access to high-earning specialized programs. The college serves students seeking a supportive academic environment and community-focused education, with outcomes that reflect both the opportunities and constraints of serving a predominantly disadvantaged student population.
Texas College graduates who complete their degrees see modest but positive long-term earnings outcomes. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $33,752, which represents earnings that are slightly above what would be expected given the student population served. The institution shows a small positive value-added effect of about $1,978, meaning graduates earn somewhat more than similar students at comparable institutions, though the absolute earnings levels remain relatively modest.
The college's return profile reflects both its mission and its challenges. While graduates who complete their programs do see meaningful employment outcomes, the low completion rates significantly limit the number of students who reach these milestones. Only 19 graduates in recent cohorts earn more than $75,000 annually, reflecting both the small graduating class sizes and the modest earnings levels typical of the institution's alumni.
For students who successfully navigate to graduation, Texas College provides a foundation for stable employment and gradual career advancement. The positive earnings beyond expectations suggest that the institution adds meaningful value for those who complete their studies, though the overall return picture is constrained by completion challenges that affect the majority of enrolled students.
Texas College stands out for its exceptional affordability, particularly for middle-income families who face an average net price of just $8,403 annually. Low-income students pay about $10,966 per year, which remains well below typical private college costs and reflects the institution's commitment to serving students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The college's affordability profile places it in the 74th percentile nationally, indicating stronger-than-average pricing for families across income levels.
The institution's financial aid approach prioritizes access over selectivity, with generous grant aid that significantly reduces the sticker price for most families. This pricing strategy aligns with the college's mission to serve predominantly Pell-eligible students, creating genuine affordability for populations that might otherwise be priced out of private higher education.
Debt levels for graduates are moderate given the low net prices, with typical federal student loan debt of $31,000 and Parent PLUS borrowing averaging $12,112. While these amounts are manageable relative to many private institutions, they do represent a significant financial commitment given the modest post-graduation earnings levels that most alumni achieve in their early careers.
Texas College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
