Texas State Technical College
- Graduation Rate
- 41% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $38,916 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $13,508 C+
- 21% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 9,437
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 16.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $16.4 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $16.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $832,284.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 41% — 27% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 2.89% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $16.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Texas State Technical College Matters
Texas State Technical College is a public college in Waco, 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 College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 9,437
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Precision Production, Mechanic & Repair Tech, Construction Trades, Health Professions
Why students choose Texas State Technical 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 $13,508 a year after grants and scholarships — 21% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $38,916 ten years after enrolling — 5% below the typical college, against $9,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 12% nationally for mobility. High social capital (0.55 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With nearly 9,500 students, Texas State Technical College in Waco, TX, is a solid choice for those looking to jump into hands-on fields. Programs like Mechanic & Repair Tech, Construction Trades, and Health Professions attract students who want practical skills that lead directly to jobs. This college fits well for individuals eager to start their careers quickly, especially those interested in technical and vocational training.
Looking ahead, the average earnings for graduates ten years after finishing their programs is about $38,916. That’s a decent starting point for many, particularly for those who may have experienced challenges before college. With a significant portion of students receiving Pell Grants—40%—affordability is within reach for many families. It’s important to note that graduates tend to find stable employment opportunities, contributing to a sense of upward mobility.
When we consider the financial aspect, the average net price after aid is around $13,508, which is reasonable for the level of education received. Graduates typically leave with a median debt of $9,500, making it manageable for many to pay off. Students who thrive here are often those who appreciate a practical, hands-on approach to learning and are focused on entering the workforce quickly, ready to apply their skills in real-world settings.
Can I Get In?
How selective Texas State Technical 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 Texas State Technical College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Waco, Texas, Texas State Technical College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 41%.
- Retention Rate
- 50%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 88%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,471
- Diversity Index
- 0.65
- First-Gen Students
- 50%
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 Texas State Technical College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Texas State Technical College is $11,812, 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 $13,508. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,726 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $7,212
- Out-of-State
- $11,812
- Avg Net Price
- $13,508
- Median Debt
- $9,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 40%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 21%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,726
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,807
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,238
- Family Income $110K+
- $17,235
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 Texas State Technical 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 Texas State Technical College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Texas State Technical College report median earnings of $38,916, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $34,758
- 8 Years
- $37,305
- 10 Years
- $38,916
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.24x
- Earning > $25K
- 53%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (457)
- 31%
- 100% (457)
- 31%
- 100% (457)
- 31%
- 100% (457)
- 31%
How Texas 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 Texas State Technical College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Texas State Technical College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $13,508/year ($54,032 total). Graduates earn $38,916 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $886,316 in total earnings — a net gain of $832,284 (16.4× your investment). The median debt is $9,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 41% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $54,032
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $886,316
- Net Return
- $832,284
- ROI Multiple
- 16.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $13,508
- Median Debt
- $9,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 41%
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 Texas State Technical College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Texas State Technical 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 2.89%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 19.1% 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 15.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $56,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.89%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 15.1%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 19.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $76,628
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Top Programs
The fields Texas State Technical 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.
- Precision Production 19% $45,495 early-career
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 18% $46,034 early-career
- Construction Trades 18% $96,639 early-career
- Health Professions 11% $76,223 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 7% $45,495 early-career
- Business & Marketing 2% $30,854 early-career
- Culinary & Personal Services 1% $23,430 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 1% $25,375 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 Texas State Technical 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 Texas State Technical College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Waco, Texas, Texas State Technical College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 41%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Texas State Technical College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Texas State Technical College is $11,812, 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 $13,508. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,726 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,500 in federal student loans.
Is Texas State Technical College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Texas State Technical College report median earnings of $38,916, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Texas State Technical College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Texas State Technical 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 2.89%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 19.1% 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 15.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $56,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Texas State Technical 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 Texas State Technical College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.55, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.14). Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Texas State Technical College.
- College of the DesertPalm Desert, CA · Close peer30% grad $39,020 earnWhy: similar earnings
- Los Angeles Trade Technical CollegeLos Angeles, CA · Close peer31% grad $35,233 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- William Rainey Harper CollegePalatine, IL · Close peer47% grad $48,071 earnWhy: similar grad rate · similar size
- George C Wallace State Community College-HancevilleHanceville, AL · Close peer50% grad $39,842 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Merced CollegeMerced, CA · Close peer32% grad $37,815 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- Des Moines Area Community CollegeAnkeny, IA · Close peer37% grad $41,018 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Texas State Technical 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 Texas State Technical College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.55, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.14). Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note