At $3,886/yr net price, Coastal Bend College graduates earn $35,086/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $1,086/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $3,886 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $15,544 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,086/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$1,086/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 14.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 11.0% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $2,627/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,366/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,762/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,158/yr |
| $110,001+ | $9,469/yr |
The Risk Factor
11.0% of students at Coastal Bend 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
Coastal Bend College keeps your out-of-pocket cost low, but the payoff is thin. At under $4,000 a year in net price, this is one of the cheaper ways to enroll in college in South Texas. The problem is what happens after. Median earnings ten years out sit near $35,000, which is close to what many jobs in the Beeville and Coastal Bend area pay without a degree at all.
The bigger risk here is finishing. An 11% graduation rate means most people who start do not walk away with a credential. If you pay tuition, spend two years, and leave without a degree, you carry the cost and none of the earnings bump. That is the central financial danger at this school, and it applies to you regardless of major.
No program-level salary data is listed here, so there is no way to say which fields at Coastal Bend pay off and which don't. Treat any specific program's return as unknown until you see its own numbers.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay roughly $2,600 a year. over $110,000, closer to $9,500. That gap makes this school an affordable entry point if you qualify for the most aid.
This works best for you if you are cost-sensitive, live nearby, and have a concrete plan to finish and either transfer to a four-year school or move into a specific local job. If you need a clear earnings return on your own, the low completion rate and modest median earnings make this a shaky bet. Go in with a finishing plan or look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coastal Bend College worth the cost?
With a net price of $3,886 per year and 10-year earnings of $35,086, Coastal Bend College offers affordable tuition but produces below-average earnings. The extremely low 11% graduation rate is a major red flag that most students don't complete their programs.
What is the graduation rate at Coastal Bend College?
Only 11% of students graduate from Coastal Bend College. This means nearly 9 out of 10 students leave without completing their degree, which significantly impacts the school's value proposition.
How much do Coastal Bend College graduates earn after graduation?
Coastal Bend College graduates earn an average of $35,086 ten years after enrollment. This is below the national average for college graduates and only modestly higher than typical high school graduate earnings.
What programs at Coastal Bend College have the best return on investment?
Given the low overall graduation rate and modest earnings outcomes, prospective students should carefully research specific program completion rates and job placement data before enrolling. The college's community college model works best for students planning to transfer to four-year institutions.