At $1,975/yr net price, College of the Mainland graduates earn $39,639/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $5,639/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $1,975 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $7,900 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $39,639/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$5,639/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 28.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $5,960 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $1,975/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 | $72,369 | $5,855 |
| Physical Science Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $66,171 | $11,529 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $25,967 | $5,952 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. | Certificate | $17,396 |
The Risk Factor
28.3% of students at College of the Mainland 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
College of the Mainland gives you one of the cheapest tickets in Texas: a $1,975 net price and under $6,000 in median debt. That debt figure is low enough that you could pay it off in a year or two on almost any full-time wage, which takes most of the financial risk off the table before you enroll.
The catch is what that ticket buys. Median earnings ten years out sit below $40,000, so this is a low-cost, low-return school. You are not paying much, but you are not walking into a high-paying career on the strength of the credential either. The math works because the cost is tiny, not because the payoff is big.
The 28% graduation rate is the real hazard here. Cheap tuition only pays off if you finish, and roughly seven in ten students do not graduate on time. If you stall out, you get the debt and lost work time without the credential that lifts your earnings. Your single most important job at this school is completing a program, not choosing the perfect one.
For families earning under $30,000, the net price stays at $1,975, so cost is not the barrier to attending. This school fits you if you live near Texas City, want to keep debt near zero, and plan to use it as an affordable start toward a transfer or a local job in the Gulf Coast area. It fits you less well if you are counting on the degree alone to push you well past the $40,000 mark, because the earnings data does not back that up. Treat the low price as a reason to finish fast and move on, not a reason to drift.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is College of the Mainland worth the money?
College of the Mainland offers strong value with a low net price of $1,975 per year and minimal debt load of $5,960. However, the 28% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which limits the return on investment for those who don't complete their programs.
What are the highest paying programs at College of the Mainland?
Nursing programs at College of the Mainland lead to median earnings of $72,369, making them the clear winners for ROI. Physical science technology programs also perform well at $66,171, while liberal arts graduates earn significantly less at $25,967.
How much debt do College of the Mainland graduates have?
College of the Mainland graduates leave with relatively low debt of $5,960, well below national averages. The low cost of attendance helps keep borrowing minimal for students who complete their programs.
Should I attend College of the Mainland for a liberal arts degree?
Liberal arts graduates from College of the Mainland earn a median of $25,967 after 10 years, which is low compared to other programs at the school. Students interested in liberal arts should consider the limited earning potential versus the nursing and technical programs that pay significantly more.