Laredo College: $3,300 Tuition

$3,300Tuition

5,086Students

31%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$33,934Earnings

Public4-yearData: 2023-24

About Laredo College

Laredo College serves as the educational backbone for South Texas's border community. The institution enrolls 5,086 students and focuses heavily on workforce development and transfer pathways. With 95.36% of students identifying as Hispanic, the college reflects its community's demographics while preparing graduates for local industries and four-year universities. The Palominos compete in athletics while maintaining strong ties to regional employers.

Students pay an average net price of $5,309, making this one of the most affordable higher education options in Texas. Graduates earn a median of $33,934 ten years after enrollment, while carrying minimal debt of just $2,959. The monthly loan payment averages only $31, and 88.4% of graduates find employment. For families earning under $30,000, the net price drops to $4,877, making college accessible to working-class border families.

The student body is 58.73% women and 98.06% in-state residents, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere. With a 30:1 student-faculty ratio, classes tend to be larger than typical community colleges. The college operates on a semester system and maintains strong partnerships with local businesses, helping students transition directly into the workforce or transfer to nearby universities like UT Rio Grande Valley.

Academics & Faculty

Laredo College serves as the primary community college for South Texas, focusing heavily on workforce development and transfer preparation for its predominantly Hispanic student body. The 30:1 student-faculty ratio means larger class sizes that require more student independence. With a 33.5% four-year graduation rate, the college faces typical community college challenges where many students attend part-time or transfer before completing degrees. The school emphasizes practical career training in fields like nursing, welding, and business that match local job market needs. Strong partnerships with universities like Texas A&M International help students transfer seamlessly. Most graduates earn around $33,934 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the college's role in providing accessible pathways to middle-class careers.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 30:1
Full-Time Faculty: 56.5%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 33.5%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 30.5%
Median Earnings (10 years): $33,934

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$72,369
Criminal Justice and Corrections.	Certificate	$56,415
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$45,500
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$44,942
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology.	Associate	$39,369
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies.	Certificate	$28,598
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians.	Certificate	$28,212
Criminal Justice and Corrections.	Associate	$28,055
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.	Certificate	$23,649
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Associate	$22,771

View all 58 programs →

Campus Life

Laredo College sits just across the Rio Grande from Mexico, where 95% of students are Hispanic and temperatures regularly hit the 90s from May through September. The community college serves 5,086 students in a city where Spanish flows as naturally as English on campus. With 98% of students from Texas, most commute from nearby neighborhoods rather than living in dorms.

The 30:1 student-faculty ratio means larger classes, but the tight-knit border community creates connections beyond the classroom. Students often gather at local taquerias between classes or cross into Nuevo Laredo for weekend shopping and dining. The Palominos compete in athletics, though many students balance coursework with jobs to support families. Summer brings brutal heat that keeps everyone indoors during midday, while winter rarely requires more than a light jacket. The campus buzzes with students preparing for transfer to four-year universities or entering local healthcare and business programs that serve the thriving international trade corridor.

Setting: City-Large
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1947

Campus Safety (2023)

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

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Burglary	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 46°–68°F
July Avg: 76°–99°F
Annual Precipitation: 21.4"
Annual Snowfall: 0.1"

Student Demographics

This border community college draws almost entirely from Texas, with 98% of its 5,086 students coming from in-state. The student body is overwhelmingly Hispanic, reflecting Laredo's demographics and the school's role serving the local Mexican-American community. Women outnumber men by a significant margin, typical for community colleges where many students pursue healthcare, education, and social service programs. Nearly two-fifths of students receive Pell Grants, showing Laredo College's commitment to providing affordable higher education to working-class families in this economically developing region along the Rio Grande.

Men: 41.3%
Women: 58.7%
White: 2.2%
Black: 0.2%
Hispanic: 95.4%
Asian: 0.3%
In-State Students: 98.1%
Pell Grant Recipients: 38.5%

Location

Laredo College sits in Laredo, Texas, just across the Rio Grande from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. The campus serves a border city of about 260,000 people located 150 miles southwest of San Antonio. With 95.36% Hispanic enrollment, the college reflects the predominantly Latino culture of this international gateway community. The Rio Grande Valley region offers a unique bicultural environment where Spanish and English blend naturally in daily life. Trade, transportation, and manufacturing drive the local economy due to Laredo's position as a major port of entry. The desert landscape and warm climate create a distinct South Texas atmosphere. Students considering colleges in Texas may also compare Laredo College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Laredo, Texas 78040-4395

Athletic dormitory, Laredo (TX) Community College IMG

Trevino Fitness Center at Laredo Community College South Campus IMG

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $33,934
Median Earnings (5 years): $37,808
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $29,400
Loan Repayment Rate: 41.9%
Monthly Loan Payment: $31/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $2,959

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Laredo College?

Laredo College maintains an open admission policy as a community college, serving 5,086 students primarily from the local area. The school focuses on providing accessible higher education to the predominantly Hispanic community in Laredo, with 98.06% of students coming from Texas.

How much does Laredo College cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Laredo College is $5,309, making it highly affordable for most students. In-state tuition runs just $3,300, and students graduate with remarkably low debt loads averaging only $2,959.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Laredo College?

Laredo College has a student-faculty ratio of 30:1, which is typical for community colleges focused on serving large numbers of students efficiently. The college emphasizes workforce development and transfer preparation rather than intensive research mentoring.

What are the graduation and employment outcomes at Laredo College?

Laredo College has a 4-year graduation rate of 33.50% and graduates earn a median of $33,934 ten years after enrollment. The employment rate reaches 88.4%, reflecting the school's strong focus on career preparation and workforce development programs.

Where is Laredo College located and what is the campus like?

Laredo College sits in Laredo, Texas, a large border city known for international trade and cultural exchange. The Palominos serve a student body that is 95.36% Hispanic and 58.73% female, reflecting the demographics of this unique border community.

Does Laredo College offer good value for border region students?

Laredo College provides exceptional value with monthly loan payments averaging just $31 and a loan repayment rate of 41.87%. Founded in 1947, the college has built a reputation as an affordable pathway to higher education for families in the Rio Grande Valley, with students from households earning under $30,000 paying only $4,877 net price.