Odessa College
#5 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Texas- Graduation Rate
- 32% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $42,026 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $6,368 A-
- 63% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 4,654
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 41.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $41.6 over 20 years. Ranked #5 in Best Online Computer Science Programs in Texas.
Every $1 spent returns $41.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,033,652.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduation of 32% — 44% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 4.71% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $41.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Odessa College Matters
Odessa College is a public community college in Odessa, TX and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: durable upward mobility for the students it enrolls.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 4,654
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Business & Marketing, Mechanic & Repair Tech, Health Professions
Why students choose Odessa College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $6,368 a year after grants and scholarships — 63% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $42,026 ten years after enrolling — 3% above the typical college, against $7,750 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 4.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 3% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.48 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With about 4,654 students, Odessa College caters to those looking for a supportive environment to explore practical career paths. Here, students dive into majors like Humanities, Business & Marketing, Mechanic & Repair Tech, Health Professions, and Culinary & Personal Services. This variety allows for hands-on learning in fields that are relevant to today’s job market.
After graduation, students see an average earning of around $42,026 within ten years, which is a solid return on investment for many. The school is also relatively affordable, with a net price of approximately $6,368 after financial aid. This means that students can focus on building their careers without being buried under excessive debt. The median debt stands at $7,750, which is manageable for many graduates.
Odessa College tends to attract those who appreciate a blend of community and practicality. With a graduation rate of 32%, it’s clear that while not every student may finish, those who engage with the available resources often find a pathway to success in their chosen fields. This school is a good fit for individuals ready to take charge of their education and future, especially in essential service areas that contribute significantly to the local economy.
Rankings
- #5 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Texas
- #5 Best Online Education Programs in Texas
- #5 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Texas
- #7 Best Online Business Programs in Texas
- #7 Best Online Nursing Programs in Texas
- #18 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Texas
- #20 Best Education Colleges in Texas
- #22 Most Affordable Colleges in Texas
Can I Get In?
How selective Odessa College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Odessa College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Odessa, Texas, Odessa College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 32%.
- Retention Rate
- 66%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 30%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,404
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 21:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.49
- First-Gen Students
- 57%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Odessa College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Odessa College is $4,926, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $6,368. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,648 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $7,750 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $2,688
- Out-of-State
- $4,926
- Avg Net Price
- $6,368
- Median Debt
- $7,750
- Pell Grant Rate
- 22%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 2%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $5,648
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $6,001
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $8,407
- Family Income $110K+
- $10,586
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Odessa College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Odessa College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Odessa College report median earnings of $42,026, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $34,867
- 8 Years
- $40,503
- 10 Years
- $42,026
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.18x
- Earning > $25K
- 56%
Earnings Trajectory
How Odessa Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Odessa College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Odessa College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $6,368/year ($25,472 total). Graduates earn $42,026 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,059,124 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,033,652 (41.6× your investment). The median debt is $7,750, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 32% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $25,472
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,059,124
- Net Return
- $1,033,652
- ROI Multiple
- 41.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $6,368
- Median Debt
- $7,750
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 32%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Odessa College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Odessa College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 4.71%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 20.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $50,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 4.71%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 22.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 20.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $69,155
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,665,399
- Investment Income
- $-3,121,850
Top Programs
The fields Odessa College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Humanities 26%
- Business & Marketing 19% $35,271 early-career
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 14%
- Health Professions 9% $67,032 early-career
- Culinary & Personal Services 6% $22,629 early-career
- Precision Production 5%
- Criminal Justice 5% $36,992 early-career
- Education 4% $10,984 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Odessa College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CAerospace Engineer$130,720 · 6% growthResilient 72
- B+Nurse Practitioner$129,480 · 40% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Odessa College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Odessa, Texas, Odessa College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 32%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Odessa College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Odessa College is $4,926, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $6,368. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,648 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $7,750 in federal student loans.
Is Odessa College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Odessa College report median earnings of $42,026, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Odessa College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Odessa College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 4.71%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 20.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $50,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Odessa College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Odessa College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.48, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Odessa College.
- Spokane Community CollegeSpokane, WA · Close peer35% grad $41,984 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Louisiana State University at AlexandriaAlexandria, LA · Close peer35% grad $42,205 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Lake-Sumter State CollegeLeesburg, FL · Close peer46% grad $39,876 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Mt Hood Community CollegeGresham, OR · Close peer25% grad $41,125 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Seattle Central CollegeSeattle, WA · Close peer31% grad $43,307 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Arkansas-Fort SmithFort Smith, AR · Close peer37% grad $41,102 earn 80% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Odessa College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Odessa College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.48, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note