At $5,290/yr net price, San Antonio College graduates earn $39,711/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $5,711/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,290 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $21,160 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $39,711/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$5,711/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 22.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,617/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,433/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,895/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,106/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,576/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 | $57,770 | $10,293 |
| Fire Protection. | Certificate | $38,289 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $33,459 | |
| Fire Protection. | Associate | $32,563 | |
| Legal Support Services. | Associate | $32,119 | |
| Psychology, General. | Associate | $31,133 | |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Associate | $28,598 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $26,353 | $9,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $25,194 | $9,711 |
| Social Work. | Associate | $23,351 |
The Risk Factor
22.1% of students at San Antonio 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
San Antonio College gives you a low-cost entry with a serious completion problem attached. Net price sits near $5,000 a year and median debt stops at $10,500, so you are not borrowing yourself into a hole here. The catch is the 22% graduation rate. Fewer than one in four of you finish, and if you leave with debt but no credential, that low price stops protecting you.
Median earnings ten years out land under $40,000. That is a modest return, but weigh it against what you actually pay. Debt under $11,000 against $40,000 income is a manageable ratio, which is the strongest part of this school's financial case. The weakness is that the number reflects students who both finished and stayed in the San Antonio labor market, where wages run lower than the coastal metros.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed here, so treat any single major as a bet you need to research directly with the college before enrolling. Do not assume a specific field pays off without that data.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $30,000 in household income, you pay about $4,600. over $110,000, you pay roughly $11,600. That $7,000 spread means the school is cheapest for exactly the families who need it most.
This is a good financial fit if you can commit to finishing and you plan to work in the region. The main risk is starting and not completing, since the odds of that are high here. If you want a strong salary floor or you need a near-certain path to a degree, look at schools with graduation rates well above 22% before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Antonio College worth the cost for career outcomes?
San Antonio College offers solid value at $5,290 per year, especially for nursing programs where graduates earn $57,770 annually. However, the 22% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which significantly impacts ROI.
What are the best paying programs at San Antonio College?
Nursing programs at San Antonio College provide the strongest returns, with graduates earning around $57,770 annually. Fire protection and accounting programs offer more modest returns at $32,000-38,000 per year.
How much student debt do San Antonio College graduates typically have?
San Antonio College graduates have relatively low debt at $10,500 median, making it manageable compared to four-year schools. The bigger risk is not graduating at all, given the low completion rate.
Does San Antonio College provide good ROI compared to other Texas community colleges?
San Antonio College's ROI depends heavily on program choice and completion. While nursing graduates see strong returns that justify costs, the overall 10-year earnings of $39,711 are modest for the region.