Tyler Junior College
Tyler Junior College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Tyler Junior College at a Glance
Tyler Junior College (TJC) is a public community college in Tyler, Texas. It is one of the largest community colleges in the state, with an enrollment of more than 12,000 credit students and an additional 20,000 continuing education enrollments annually. Its West campus includes continuing education and workforce training programs and TJC North in Lindale, Texas offers general education classes, nursing programs, and the veterinary technician associate of applied science. The college also operat…
1926
100 years old
$97M
$97.1 million (2024)
12,500
Identity
Is Tyler Junior College Worth It?
At a value score of 25/100, Tyler Junior College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $38,140 — 29% below average — while paying $10,206/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 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: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Tyler Junior College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Tyler Junior College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in TX
Ranked #106 of 135 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 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #2 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #3 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #4 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
| #5 | Shasta College | 89 | $2,878 | $39,269 |
| #6 | Cypress College | 86 | $4,606 | $43,533 |
| #106 | Tyler Junior College | 25 | $10,206 | $38,140 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Tyler Junior 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 Tyler Junior College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Tyler Junior 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 $10,206/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
- Tyler, TX
- Student Body
- 9,087 students
- Graduation Rate
- 27%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $10,206
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $38,140
- Median Student Debt
- $11,995