At $6,565/yr net price, Ranger College graduates earn $35,552/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $1,552/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,565 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $26,260 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,552/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$1,552/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 16.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 34.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,768/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,778/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,657/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,350/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $32,634 | $5,917 |
The Risk Factor
34.6% of students at Ranger 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
Ranger College gives you a low-cost, low-return outcome. Net price runs $6,565 a year and you'll carry a median debt of just $9,500 by graduation, so the downside if things go wrong is limited. The problem is the upside: median earnings ten years out sit at $35,552, barely above what many jobs in rural Texas pay without any degree at all.
The only program with reported earnings data is Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at the associate level, which lands graduates around $32,634 a year. That's a transfer-oriented degree, not a career credential. If you stop at the associate here, you're looking at the low end of the earnings range. This program pays off mainly as a cheap stepping stone to a four-year school, not as a destination.
The biggest financial risk is the 34.60% graduation rate. Almost two-thirds of students don't finish, and if you're one of them you've spent money and time with no credential to show for it. Low debt only protects you if you graduate.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. If your household earns under $30k, you pay $5,768. at $75-110k, you pay $10,350, nearly double. Ranger makes the most financial sense if you qualify for the lower tiers and plan to transfer into a bachelor's program elsewhere.
This school fits you if you want a low-risk, low-cost first two years before transferring, or a specific associate credential tied to local work. Look elsewhere if you want to finish a four-year degree in one place, or if you're in the $75k-plus income range where the price advantage shrinks and the earnings ceiling stays the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ranger College worth the cost compared to other Texas community colleges?
Ranger College costs $6,565 per year with graduates earning $35,552 after 10 years, making it reasonably affordable for a two-year program. However, the 34.6% graduation rate is concerning and suggests many students don't complete their programs.
What programs at Ranger College have the best return on investment?
The top programs are Liberal Arts and General Studies, with graduates earning around $32,634. These are typically transfer programs rather than career-focused degrees, so your actual ROI depends heavily on where you transfer and what bachelor's degree you complete.
How much student debt do Ranger College graduates typically have?
The median debt is $9,500, which is manageable for most graduates. This relatively low debt load is one of the main advantages of attending Ranger College over four-year institutions.
Should I choose Ranger College or go straight to a four-year university in Texas?
Ranger College makes sense if you want to save money on general education credits before transferring, especially given the low debt levels. However, the low graduation rate suggests you need strong self-motivation to succeed here.