At $6,408/yr net price, Central Texas College graduates earn $40,995/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,995/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,408 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $25,632 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,995/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,995/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 14.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $6,750 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,742/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,082/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,249/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,861/yr |
| $110,001+ | $10,641/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $67,101 | $9,457 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $38,829 | $7,126 |
The Risk Factor
14.6% of students at Central Texas College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Central Texas College gives you low upfront costs and low debt, but weak completion and modest earnings pull the return down. You borrow little here, and if you finish, the math works. The problem is finishing: fewer than one in seven students graduate, and a degree you don't complete pays back nothing while still costing you time and money.
Nursing is the clear payoff. The associate nursing program earns roughly $67,000 ten years out, well above the school-wide median near $41,000. That gap is the whole story. Liberal Arts and General Studies, at under $39,000, sits below the school median and gives you no specific job to point to. If you enroll here, aim for nursing or a transfer path to a four-year degree. Liberal Arts as a terminal degree leaves you close to where you started.
The risk specific to this school is the completion rate. Killeen sits next to Fort Cavazos, so many students are military-connected and moving through part-time or transferring. That explains some of the low grad rate, but it doesn't change your outcome if you leave without a credential.
Net price runs backwards to what you'd expect. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $5,000 to $5,700. Above $48,000, price jumps past $8,000 and climbs to over $10,000 above $110,000. Lower-income families get the better deal here. middle and upper-income families pay nearly double.
This is a good financial fit if you're going into nursing, transferring to a four-year school, or paying commuter prices while stationed nearby. Look elsewhere if you want a standalone Liberal Arts degree or need a school where most students actually graduate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Central Texas College worth the cost?
Central Texas College offers a low net price of $6,408 per year with minimal debt at graduation ($6,750), making it financially accessible. However, the extremely low graduation rate of 14.6% means most students don't complete their programs, which significantly reduces the value proposition.
What programs at Central Texas College have the best ROI?
Nursing programs at Central Texas College provide the strongest return, with graduates earning around $67,101 annually. Liberal arts and general studies graduates earn much less at $38,829, making these programs weaker investments despite the low cost.
How much debt do Central Texas College graduates typically have?
Central Texas College graduates have relatively low debt levels with a median of $6,750. The low debt combined with affordable tuition makes this school financially accessible, though completion rates remain a major concern.
Do Central Texas College graduates earn good salaries?
Central Texas College graduates earn $40,995 ten years after starting college, which is below average for college graduates. While nursing graduates do well at $67,101, the overall earnings reflect the school's focus on shorter-term programs and certificates rather than four-year degrees.