South Texas College
South Texas College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
South Texas College at a Glance
South Texas College (STC) is a public community college in the Rio Grande Valley region of South Texas. It is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Bachelor of Applied Technology, Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Arts, and Associate of Science degrees. As of fall 2023, STC has an enrollment of over 26,000 students and a staff of approximately 1,600 working across six campuses. It was created on September 1, 1993, with the …
1993
33 years old
26,000
660
Identity
Is South Texas College Worth It?
South Texas College is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $1,751/year net price and $36,788 median earnings, graduates earn 21.0× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 27% 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: South Texas College delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How South Texas College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in TX
Ranked #1 of 80 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 | South Texas College | 100 | $1,751 | $36,788 |
| #2 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #3 | Santa Ana College | 100 | $3,133 | $43,552 |
| #4 | Santa Monica College | 100 | $2,779 | $42,193 |
| #5 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #6 | St Petersburg College | 100 | $1,471 | $42,557 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of South Texas College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 9 in TX.
Best Programs at South Texas College
The highest-earning program at South Texas College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $30,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Medical Administrative Services at $24,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from South Texas College earns $30,500, while a Health and Medical Administrative Services graduate earns $24,800. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $1,751/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
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $30,500 | $30,500 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $24,800 | $24,800 |
Similar Colleges in TX
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- McAllen, TX
- Student Body
- 15,856 students
- Graduation Rate
- 27%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $1,751
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $36,788