South Texas College
- Graduation Rate
- 27% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $36,788 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $1,751 A+
- 90% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 15,856
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 149.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $149.3 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $149.3 over 20 years. Net gain: $1,038,436.
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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Social mobility rate of 6.91% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $149.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why South Texas College Matters
South Texas College is a public community college in McAllen, TX and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by 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
- 15,856
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Precision Production
Why students choose South Texas 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 $1,751 a year after grants and scholarships — 90% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $36,788 ten years after enrolling — 10% below the typical college.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 6.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 1% nationally for mobility. High social capital (0.67 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With over 15,800 students, South Texas College serves a diverse community in McAllen, TX, catering to those looking for practical pathways into careers. The school shines particularly in programs like Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Precision Production, and Computer Science & IT. These areas of study are designed for students seeking hands-on experience and relevant skills that can lead directly to employment.
When it comes to life after graduation, students can expect to earn around $36,788 within ten years of completing their studies. This figure suggests that many graduates find their footing in the job market, especially in fields like health and business, where demand is often steady. The affordability factor is noteworthy too, with a net price of just $1,751 after aid, making it a feasible option for many.
In terms of financial considerations, South Texas College keeps costs manageable, especially for students relying on aid—39% of whom receive Pell Grants. While specific debt numbers aren’t available, the low cost of attendance suggests that students can graduate with less financial burden. This environment tends to attract individuals who are motivated and ready to take advantage of the opportunities available, especially in practical fields where they can see a direct return on their investment.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective South Texas 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 Texas College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in McAllen, Texas, South Texas College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 27%.
- Retention Rate
- 58%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 56%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,665
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 22:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.10
- First-Gen Students
- 61%
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 Texas College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at South Texas College is $7,620, 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 $1,751. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $1,395 after need-based grants.
- In-State Tuition
- $4,920
- Out-of-State
- $7,620
- Avg Net Price
- $1,751
- Pell Grant Rate
- 39%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 0%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $1,395
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $1,651
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $3,841
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 Texas 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 Texas College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of South Texas College report median earnings of $36,788, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $28,239
- 8 Years
- $31,909
- 10 Years
- $36,788
- Earning > $25K
- 45%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (5)
- 7%
- 100% (5)
- 7%
- 100% (5)
- 7%
- 100% (5)
- 7%
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 Texas College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, South Texas College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $1,751/year ($7,004 total). Graduates earn $36,788 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,045,440 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,038,436 (149.3× your investment).. 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)
- $7,004
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,045,440
- Net Return
- $1,038,436
- ROI Multiple
- 149.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $1,751
- 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 Texas College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
South Texas 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 6.91%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 52.4% 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 13.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $23,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 6.91%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 13.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 52.4%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $32,472
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $339,528
- Federal Grants
- $5,464,987
- Investment Income
- $305,668
Top Programs
The fields South Texas 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 27% $21,491 early-career
- Health Professions 13% $75,923 early-career
- Business & Marketing 11% $37,934 early-career
- Precision Production 9% $54,043 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 7% $41,235 early-career
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 5% $42,504 early-career
- Criminal Justice 5% $60,427 early-career
- Education 4% $18,561 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 Texas 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
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into South Texas College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in McAllen, Texas, South Texas College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 27%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend South Texas College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at South Texas College is $7,620, 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 $1,751. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $1,395 after need-based grants.
Is South Texas College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of South Texas College report median earnings of $36,788, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does South Texas College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
South Texas 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 6.91%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 52.4% 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 13.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $23,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is South Texas College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at South Texas College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.67, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to South Texas College.
- Modesto Junior CollegeModesto, CA · Close peer28% grad $42,368 earnWhy: similar grad rate · similar size
- St Philip's CollegeSan Antonio, TX · Close peer28% grad $38,224 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Antelope Valley Community College DistrictLancaster, CA · Close peer33% grad $36,526 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- San Antonio CollegeSan Antonio, TX · Close peer24% grad $39,711 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Bakersfield CollegeBakersfield, CA · Close peer22% grad $37,291 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Palo Alto CollegeSan Antonio, TX · Close peer33% grad $37,448 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · same state
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is South Texas College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at South Texas College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.67, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note