San Jacinto Community College
San Jacinto Community College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
San Jacinto Community College at a Glance
San Jacinto College is a public community college in the Greater Houston area, with its campuses in Pasadena and Houston, Texas. Established in 1961, San Jacinto College originally consisted of the independent school districts (ISD) of Channelview, Deer Park, Galena Park, La Porte, and Pasadena.
1961
65 years old
30,000
Identity
Is San Jacinto Community College Worth It?
At a value score of 29/100, San Jacinto Community College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $43,062 — 20% below average — while paying $12,143/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 32% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at San Jacinto Community College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How San Jacinto Community College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in TX
Ranked #74 of 92 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #2 | Santa Ana College | 100 | $3,133 | $43,552 |
| #3 | Santa Monica College | 100 | $2,779 | $42,193 |
| #4 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #5 | St Petersburg College | 100 | $1,471 | $42,557 |
| #6 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | 100 | $4,831 | $49,620 |
| #74 | San Jacinto Community College | 29 | $12,143 | $43,062 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of San Jacinto Community College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 12 in TX.
Best Programs at San Jacinto Community College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for San Jacinto Community College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,143/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Similar Colleges in TX
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Pasadena, TX
- Student Body
- 22,969 students
- Graduation Rate
- 32%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,143
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $43,062
- Median Student Debt
- $9,500