South Plains College
- Graduation Rate
- 27% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $41,276 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $6,791 A-
- 60% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 6,005
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 37.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $37.1 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $37.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $980,027.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduation of 27% — 52% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $37.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why South Plains College Matters
South Plains College is a public community college in Levelland, TX and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by an above-average alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
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
- 6,005
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Culinary & Personal Services, Business & Marketing
Why students choose South Plains 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 $6,791 a year after grants and scholarships — 60% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $41,276 ten years after enrolling — 1% above the typical college, against $10,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 32% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.13 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
South Plains College in Levelland, Texas, is an ideal choice for students looking for hands-on training in practical fields. With around 6,005 students, it offers programs in areas like Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Mechanic & Repair Tech, and Culinary & Personal Services. Students here appreciate the opportunity to gain skills that are directly applicable to the workforce.
Looking ahead, graduates from South Plains can expect to earn about $41,276 within ten years of finishing their studies. This is a solid starting point for many, especially when considering the affordability of the college. The financial landscape is encouraging, with a net price of $6,791 after aid, making it accessible for a broad range of students. It's noteworthy that 38% of students qualify for Pell Grants, helping to ease the financial burden further.
When it comes to managing costs, students graduate with a median debt of $10,500, which is quite manageable compared to potential earnings. Those who thrive at South Plains often appreciate the community feel and the practicality of the programs. It’s a good fit for motivated individuals who are looking to jumpstart their careers with a clear path in mind.
Rankings
- #23 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Texas
- #24 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Texas
- #26 Most Affordable Colleges in Texas
- #27 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Texas
- #28 Best Online Education Programs in Texas
- #30 Best Online Business Programs in Texas
- #33 Best Online Nursing Programs in Texas
- #43 Best Online Colleges in Texas
Can I Get In?
How selective South Plains 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 South Plains College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Levelland, Texas, South Plains College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 27%.
- Retention Rate
- 53%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 50%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,658
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.59
- First-Gen Students
- 54%
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 South Plains College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at South Plains College is $5,155, 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 $6,791. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,394 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $2,731
- Out-of-State
- $5,155
- Avg Net Price
- $6,791
- Median Debt
- $10,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 38%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 15%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $5,394
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $5,369
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $8,721
- Family Income $110K+
- $13,314
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 South Plains 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 South Plains College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of South Plains College report median earnings of $41,276, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $35,025
- 8 Years
- $38,020
- 10 Years
- $41,276
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.25x
- Earning > $25K
- 56%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (149)
- 11%
- 100% (149)
- 11%
- 100% (149)
- 11%
- 100% (149)
- 11%
How South 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 South Plains College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, South Plains College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $6,791/year ($27,164 total). Graduates earn $41,276 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,007,191 in total earnings — a net gain of $980,027 (37.1× your investment). The median debt is $10,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 27% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $27,164
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,007,191
- Net Return
- $980,027
- ROI Multiple
- 37.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $6,791
- Median Debt
- $10,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 27%
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 South Plains College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
South Plains 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 1.87%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 18.9% 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 9.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $56,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.87%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 9.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 18.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $76,356
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,428,277
- Investment Income
- $207,425
Top Programs
The fields South Plains 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 24%
- Health Professions 12% $73,253 early-career
- Culinary & Personal Services 10% $18,680 early-career
- Business & Marketing 9% $32,661 early-career
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 8% $56,154 early-career
- Precision Production 6% $50,714 early-career
- Criminal Justice 5% $38,691 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $29,935 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 South Plains 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 South Plains College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Levelland, Texas, South Plains College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 27%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend South Plains College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at South Plains College is $5,155, 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 $6,791. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,394 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,500 in federal student loans.
Is South Plains College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of South Plains College report median earnings of $41,276, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does South Plains College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
South Plains 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 1.87%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 18.9% 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 9.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $56,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is South Plains College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at South Plains College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.13, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.06). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to South Plains College.
- Erie Community CollegeBuffalo, NY · Close peer28% grad $41,228 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Camden County CollegeBlackwood, NJ · Close peer32% grad $41,212 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright CollegeChicago, IL · Close peer32% grad $41,625 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Bristol Community CollegeFall River, MA · Close peer22% grad $38,663 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- North Central Texas CollegeGainesville, TX · Close peer35% grad $45,809 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- St Charles Community CollegeCottleville, MO · Close peer24% grad $42,422 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is South Plains College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at South Plains College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.13, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.06). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note