About Clarendon College
Clarendon College serves as an educational anchor in the remote Texas Panhandle, where 1,380 students pursue career training and transfer degrees. This community college has operated since 1898, building deep roots in rural Texas while offering practical pathways to four-year universities and immediate employment. The school maintains a 20:1 student-faculty ratio, ensuring personal attention in a setting where everyone knows your name.
Students pay an average net price of $8,373 annually, with those from lower-income families receiving significant breaks. Families earning under $30,000 pay just $7,237 after aid, while those making $30,000-$48,000 pay even less at $5,740. Graduates earn a median of $38,696 ten years out, carrying manageable debt loads of $11,000. Monthly loan payments average $117, making this education genuinely affordable for working-class families.
The Bulldogs field seven varsity sports with 173 total athletes competing in the NJCAA. Athletic scholarships total $533,935, providing opportunities for student-athletes in rural areas where college access can be limited. With 75% of students coming from Texas and housing for 296 on campus, Clarendon creates a tight-knit community atmosphere. The 60.6% graduation rate reflects the challenges many rural students face, but also the college's commitment to helping them succeed.
Students pay an average net price of $8,373 annually, with those from lower-income families receiving significant breaks. Families earning under $30,000 pay just $7,237 after aid, while those making $30,000-$48,000 pay even less at $5,740. Graduates earn a median of $38,696 ten years out, carrying manageable debt loads of $11,000. Monthly loan payments average $117, making this education genuinely affordable for working-class families.
The Bulldogs field seven varsity sports with 173 total athletes competing in the NJCAA. Athletic scholarships total $533,935, providing opportunities for student-athletes in rural areas where college access can be limited. With 75% of students coming from Texas and housing for 296 on campus, Clarendon creates a tight-knit community atmosphere. The 60.6% graduation rate reflects the challenges many rural students face, but also the college's commitment to helping them succeed.
Academics & Faculty
Clarendon College serves the rural Texas Panhandle with practical career programs and transfer pathways for students heading to four-year universities. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know their students personally in this small-town setting. About 60% of students complete their programs within six years, which is solid for a community college serving a geographically spread population. The college focuses on workforce development programs that match regional employment needs, including agriculture, healthcare, and technical trades. Students can earn associate degrees or certificates before entering the job market, with 78% finding employment after graduation. The school also maintains strong transfer agreements with Texas universities for students pursuing bachelor's degrees.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 26.7%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 60.6%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $38,696
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $61,020 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $33,993 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Associate | $33,993 |
| Agricultural Business and Management. | Associate | $25,194 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $23,351 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. | Certificate | $13,239 |
Campus Life
This tiny Texas Panhandle campus houses just 296 students in dorms, meaning only about 21% of the 1,380 students live on campus. Most commute from surrounding rural communities across the high plains. You'll need a heavy winter coat for the brutal panhandle winds and occasional blizzards, plus sunscreen for intense summer heat that can hit triple digits.
Clarendon sits 60 miles southeast of Amarillo, the nearest major city, making weekend trips to civilization a real commitment. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name, especially with classes split between career-focused programs and university transfer tracks. Weekend entertainment revolves around Bulldogs athletics, with 173 athletes competing across 7 NJCAA sports drawing decent crowds from the small community. Many students work part-time jobs in town or on family ranches. The campus feels more like an extended high school than a traditional college, where everyone knows everyone and the pace matches the surrounding farmland. Social life centers on study groups, athletic events, and occasional trips to Amarillo for real nightlife.
Clarendon sits 60 miles southeast of Amarillo, the nearest major city, making weekend trips to civilization a real commitment. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name, especially with classes split between career-focused programs and university transfer tracks. Weekend entertainment revolves around Bulldogs athletics, with 173 athletes competing across 7 NJCAA sports drawing decent crowds from the small community. Many students work part-time jobs in town or on family ranches. The campus feels more like an extended high school than a traditional college, where everyone knows everyone and the pace matches the surrounding farmland. Social life centers on study groups, athletic events, and occasional trips to Amarillo for real nightlife.
- Setting
- Rural-Remote
- Housing Capacity
- 296 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Founded
- 1898
Campus Safety (2023)
No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 23°–52°F
- July Avg
- 67°–94°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 24.0"
- Annual Snowfall
- 4.8"
Student Demographics
Three-quarters of students at this Texas Panhandle community college come from within state borders, reflecting its role as a local educational anchor for rural communities. The student body is 56% female, typical for a school emphasizing healthcare and education programs alongside traditional trade tracks. About one in five students receives Pell Grants, showing the college serves working-class families seeking affordable career training. Hispanic students make up 28% of enrollment, mirroring the demographic shift in rural Texas. Most students are looking for quick entry into the workforce or affordable transfer preparation.
- Men
- 44.3%
- Women
- 55.7%
- White
- 54.4%
- Black
- 7.8%
- Hispanic
- 27.6%
- Asian
- 0.6%
- In-State Students
- 75.1%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 20.9%
Location
Clarendon sits in the Texas Panhandle, roughly 60 miles southeast of Amarillo. This remote farming community of fewer than 2,000 people embodies classic small-town Texas. The college draws 75% of its students from within Texas, many from surrounding rural counties where agriculture and ranching dominate the economy. Wide-open plains stretch in every direction, broken only by occasional mesas and the Red River valley to the north. The nearest significant population centers are hours away by car. Housing capacity serves just 296 students on a campus that feels more like a large high school than a traditional college. Students considering colleges in Texas may also compare Clarendon College with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Clarendon, Texas 79226
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $38,696
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $40,388
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $31,800
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 38.0%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $117/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $11,000
Frequently Asked Questions
How competitive is admission to Clarendon College?
Clarendon College maintains open enrollment as a community college, accepting all students who apply. With 1,380 students enrolled, this Texas Panhandle institution focuses on serving rural communities with accessible higher education rather than selective admissions.
What does Clarendon College cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $8,373 after aid, with in-state tuition at just $3,720 annually. Only 20.93% of students receive federal financial aid, reflecting the college's already affordable pricing for rural Texas families.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Clarendon College?
The student-faculty ratio stands at 20:1, typical for community colleges but allowing for reasonable class sizes. Founded in 1898, Clarendon has built a reputation for career-focused programs and transfer preparation in the remote Texas Panhandle.
What do Clarendon College graduates earn after completing their programs?
Graduates earn a median of $38,696 ten years after enrollment, with typical monthly loan payments of just $117. The 78.3% employment rate reflects the college's focus on practical career training for rural job markets.
Where do students live at Clarendon College?
Campus housing accommodates 296 students out of the total 1,380 enrollment, with room and board costing $4,792 annually. The rural-remote setting means many students commute from surrounding Panhandle communities, with 75.05% coming from in-state.
Does Clarendon College have strong athletics programs?
The Bulldogs compete in NJCAA athletics with 7 varsity sports and 173 total athletes. Athletic scholarships total $533,935, providing significant opportunities for student-athletes in this small rural college environment.
