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$2,933Tuition
1,793Students
11%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$35,086Earnings
Public2-yearNJCAAData: 2023-24

About Coastal Bend College

Coastal Bend College serves the rural farming and ranching communities of South Texas with practical, career-focused programs. The college enrolls 1,793 students on its Beeville campus, where the focus stays firmly on workforce preparation and transfer pathways. Students here typically pursue nursing, automotive technology, and agricultural programs that match the region's economic needs.

The financial picture works for most students, especially those from lower-income families. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $2,627 after aid, while even middle-income students face net costs under $6,000. Graduates earn a median of $35,086 ten years after attending. That creates a solid return on investment for students who complete their programs and enter the workforce quickly.

The student body reflects the local demographics, with 74% Hispanic enrollment and 97% in-state students. Women make up 68% of students, typical for a community college emphasizing healthcare and service programs. The 11% six-year completion rate signals challenges common to rural community colleges, where many students attend part-time while working or transfer before completing degrees. Eight varsity sports programs compete in the NJCAA, giving the small campus some athletic identity despite its primary mission as a commuter school.

Academics & Faculty

Coastal Bend College serves a predominantly Hispanic student body with 74% of students from that background. The community college operates with a 23:1 student-faculty ratio, meaning larger class sizes and less individual attention from professors. Only 11% of students complete their programs within six years, reflecting the challenges many community college students face balancing work, family, and education. The college focuses on workforce development and transfer preparation for students in rural South Texas. Many students pursue nursing, welding, and agricultural programs that align with local industry needs. With 97% of students coming from Texas, CBC primarily serves its immediate regional community rather than drawing students from across the state.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
23:1
Full-Time Faculty
31.7%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
11.0%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$35,086

Campus Life

Rural South Texas shapes everything at Coastal Bend College. Beeville sits about 90 miles southeast of San Antonio, surrounded by ranch land and oil fields. Only 178 students can live in campus housing, representing roughly 10% of the 1,793 total enrollment. Most students commute from nearby towns across this sparsely populated region.

The student body is 74.18% Hispanic, reflecting the area's deep Mexican-American heritage. Women outnumber men at 68.54%. With 97% of students from Texas, this feels like a tight-knit community college serving local families. The 143 athletes competing in 8 NJCAA sports provide campus energy, especially during baseball and softball seasons. Weekend options are limited in a town of 13,000 people. Students often drive to Corpus Christi an hour away for entertainment, or gather for barbecues and pickup games on campus. The hot, humid climate means shorts and t-shirts dominate most of the academic year. A light jacket suffices for the brief winter months when temperatures rarely drop below freezing.
Setting
Town-Remote
Housing Capacity
178 beds
Calendar System
Semester
Founded
1965

Campus Safety (2023)

1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Burglary 1 0 0 0

Climate & Weather

January Avg
46°–68°F
July Avg
76°–97°F
Annual Precipitation
64.9"
Annual Snowfall
0.1"

Student Demographics

This small South Texas community college draws students from across the region, with nearly all coming from in-state. Women make up more than two-thirds of the student body, reflecting the school's strong programs in nursing, education, and health sciences. The student population is predominantly Hispanic, serving the local Beeville area and surrounding rural communities. About one in four students receives Pell Grants, showing the college's role in providing affordable education to working-class families. The tight-knit campus creates a supportive environment where students often know their classmates personally.
Men
31.5%
Women
68.5%
White
17.3%
Black
2.8%
Hispanic
74.2%
Asian
1.2%
In-State Students
97.0%
Pell Grant Recipients
27.7%

Location

Beeville sits in South Texas about 90 miles southeast of San Antonio. The town of roughly 13,000 people serves as the county seat of Bee County in the Coastal Bend region. This rural community lies between the state's major metropolitan areas and the Gulf Coast. Nearly 97% of students come from within Texas. The surrounding area features ranch land, oil fields, and agricultural operations typical of rural South Texas. Beeville maintains a small-town atmosphere where the college represents one of the main institutions. The remote setting means students experience a tight-knit community environment. Students considering colleges in Texas may also compare Coastal Bend College with similar schools in the region.
Address
Beeville, Texas 78102

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years)
$35,086
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$30,100
Loan Repayment Rate
38.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Coastal Bend College?

As a community college, Coastal Bend College operates with open enrollment, meaning qualified applicants are generally admitted without competitive selection. The school serves 1,793 students and focuses on providing accessible higher education to the South Texas region, particularly serving the Hispanic community which makes up 74.18% of the student body.

How much does Coastal Bend College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $3,886 after aid, with in-state tuition set at $2,933 annually. For families earning under $30,000, the net price drops to just $2,627, making this one of the most affordable college options in Texas.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Coastal Bend College?

The student-faculty ratio stands at 23:1, which is typical for community colleges but higher than many four-year institutions. Classes tend to be larger as the college focuses on providing practical, career-oriented programs and transfer pathways to four-year universities.

What are the job prospects after graduating from Coastal Bend College?

Graduates earn a median salary of $35,086 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the college's focus on practical career training. However, the 6-year graduation rate is 11%, as many students transfer to four-year institutions or attend part-time while working.

Does Coastal Bend College have on-campus housing?

The college offers limited on-campus housing with a capacity of just 178 students out of 1,793 total enrollment. Room and board costs $7,001 annually, though most students commute since 97% are Texas residents from the surrounding region.

What sports teams does Coastal Bend College have?

The Cougars compete in 8 varsity sports through the NJCAA with 143 total athletes participating. The college awards $302,681 in athletic scholarships, providing opportunities for student-athletes to continue their education while competing in community college athletics.