Central Texas College: $3,150 Tuition

$3,150Tuition

5,985Students

15%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$40,995Earnings

Public2-yearData: 2023-24

About Central Texas College

Central Texas College serves 5,985 students with a strong focus on military families and flexible scheduling for Fort Hood personnel. The college has built its reputation around accommodating the unique needs of active-duty service members and veterans while also serving the broader Killeen community. With a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, students get personalized attention in this suburban setting just outside one of the country's largest military installations.

The financial picture looks promising for most students. Average net price sits at $6,408, but families earning under $30,000 pay just $5,742 after aid. Graduates earn a median of $40,995 ten years after starting, while carrying relatively modest debt loads of $6,750. Monthly loan payments average only $72, making this an affordable path to career advancement. The low 11.87% federal loan rate means most students avoid borrowing altogether.

The student body reflects the diverse military community, with 30% Hispanic, 26% Black, and 30% White students. Women make up 57% of enrollment. The 14.6% six-year graduation rate is typical for community colleges where many students attend part-time or transfer before completing degrees. With limited on-campus housing for just 97 students, this college primarily serves commuters balancing education with military service or work obligations.

Academics & Faculty

Central Texas College serves as a stepping stone for students seeking affordable higher education near Fort Hood. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio provides solid access to instructors in smaller classroom settings. However, the 14.6% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face, including part-time enrollment and competing life priorities. The college specializes in programs that align with military careers and local workforce needs, including aviation maintenance, criminal justice, and healthcare certifications. Many students transfer to four-year universities after completing core requirements at lower costs. The school's flexible scheduling accommodates active military personnel and working adults who need evening or weekend classes.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 14.6%
Median Earnings (10 years): $40,995

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$67,101
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$38,829

View all 76 programs →

Campus Life

Central Texas College sits just outside Fort Hood in Killeen, about 70 miles north of Austin. Only 1.6% of the 5,985 students live in the limited on-campus housing with just 97 beds available. Most students commute from the surrounding military community or nearby towns.

The campus serves a unique mix of active-duty soldiers, veterans, and traditional college students. With 56.98% women and a diverse student body that's 30.26% white, 26.30% Black, and 30.46% Hispanic, the college reflects the multicultural military population it primarily serves. Students often balance classes with military duties or civilian jobs, creating a practical, no-nonsense atmosphere.

Texas heat means shorts and t-shirts dominate most of the year, though you'll need light jackets for brief winter months. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio allows for personal attention in career-focused programs. Weekends typically involve family time rather than campus activities, as most students live off-campus. The flexible scheduling accommodates military deployments and shift work, making education accessible for service members transitioning to civilian careers.

Setting: Suburb-Large
Housing Capacity: 97 beds
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

6 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Fondling	2	0	0	0
Rape	2	0	0	0
Burglary	1	0	0	0
Motor Vehicle Theft	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 39°–61°F
July Avg: 73°–95°F
Annual Precipitation: 0.0"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

Central Texas College draws nearly two-thirds of its students from Texas, reflecting its strong ties to the Fort Hood military community and surrounding Killeen area. The student body splits almost evenly between men and women, with slightly more women enrolled. White, Black, and Hispanic students each make up roughly 30% of enrollment, creating an unusually diverse community college environment. About one-third receive Pell Grants, indicating the school serves many working-class military families and local residents seeking affordable career training and transfer opportunities.

Men: 43.0%
Women: 57.0%
White: 30.3%
Black: 26.3%
Hispanic: 30.5%
Asian: 4.6%
In-State Students: 65.6%
Pell Grant Recipients: 31.1%

Location

Central Texas College sits in Killeen, Texas, about 70 miles north of Austin. The campus serves the greater Fort Hood area, where 43% of students are men and 57% are women, reflecting the military community's influence. Killeen functions as a military town with over 217,000 residents, built around one of the largest active duty armored posts in the United States. The setting blends suburban amenities with easy access to central Texas hill country. Only 66% of students come from in-state, with many military families bringing diverse backgrounds from across the country. Students considering colleges in Texas may also compare Central Texas College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Killeen, Texas 76549-4199

US Navy 020918-N-5972C-002 Instructor teaches sixty two crewmembers aboard USS Essex in elementary Japanese in the ship's chapel lounge

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $40,995
Median Earnings (5 years): $52,481
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $29,000
Loan Repayment Rate: 32.2%
Monthly Loan Payment: $72/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $6,750

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Central Texas College?

Central Texas College maintains an open admissions policy as a community college, meaning qualified applicants are generally admitted. The school serves 5,985 students and focuses on providing accessible education to military families stationed at nearby Fort Hood and local residents seeking career training or transfer preparation.

How much does Central Texas College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $6,408 after financial aid, with in-state tuition set at $3,150 per year. About 31% of students receive Pell Grants, and graduates typically leave with manageable debt of $6,750 and monthly loan payments of just $72.

What academic programs is Central Texas College known for?

The college operates on a semester system with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, offering flexible scheduling to accommodate military personnel and working adults. Central Texas College specializes in workforce development programs and transfer pathways, designed specifically for the unique needs of the Fort Hood military community.

What are the job prospects after graduating from Central Texas College?

Graduates achieve an 84.3% employment rate, with median earnings of $40,995 ten years after enrollment. The college's focus on practical career training and its location near a major military installation helps students transition into civilian careers or advance their military education goals.

Does Central Texas College have on-campus housing?

The college offers limited on-campus housing with a capacity of just 97 students, reflecting its role as a commuter school. Most of the 5,985 enrolled students live off-campus, often in military housing at Fort Hood or in the surrounding Killeen community.

How diverse is the student body at Central Texas College?

The student population reflects the diversity of the military community, with 30% Hispanic students, 26% Black students, and 30% White students. Women make up 57% of enrollment, and about 66% of students are Texas residents, though the college also serves military families from across the country.