About South Plains College
South Plains College builds careers through hands-on technical training and competitive athletics programs. The community college serves 6,124 students in the small West Texas town of Levelland, where Hispanic students make up 54% of the student body. The Texans compete in six NJCAA sports with 136 athletes sharing $757,419 in athletic scholarships. Students come here for practical skills training that leads directly to employment.
The financial picture works well for most families. Students pay an average net price of $7,062 after aid, with those from lower-income families paying as little as $5,610. Graduates earn a median of $41,276 ten years after starting, making the typical debt load of $10,500 manageable with monthly payments of just $111. The 94.6% employment rate shows employers value the college's career-focused approach.
Nearly 94% of students come from Texas, creating a tight-knit community feel. Women outnumber men at 61% of enrollment. The 25% graduation rate reflects the reality that many students transfer or enter the workforce before completing their programs. With 779 beds available and a 16:1 student-faculty ratio, students get personal attention in both academics and career preparation.
The financial picture works well for most families. Students pay an average net price of $7,062 after aid, with those from lower-income families paying as little as $5,610. Graduates earn a median of $41,276 ten years after starting, making the typical debt load of $10,500 manageable with monthly payments of just $111. The 94.6% employment rate shows employers value the college's career-focused approach.
Nearly 94% of students come from Texas, creating a tight-knit community feel. Women outnumber men at 61% of enrollment. The 25% graduation rate reflects the reality that many students transfer or enter the workforce before completing their programs. With 779 beds available and a 16:1 student-faculty ratio, students get personal attention in both academics and career preparation.
Academics & Faculty
South Plains College serves as a career-focused community college that emphasizes technical education and workforce preparation. The 16:1 student-faculty ratio provides personal attention that's crucial for hands-on learning in vocational programs. Students can expect strong programs in agriculture, automotive technology, and health sciences, reflecting the region's economic needs. The 25.20% six-year graduation rate is typical for community colleges where many students transfer before completing degrees or attend part-time while working. The college excels at preparing students for immediate employment, with a 94.6% employment rate after graduation. Technical and allied health programs form the academic backbone, designed to get students job-ready quickly rather than focusing on traditional liberal arts education.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 51.4%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 25.2%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $41,276
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $61,651 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $48,823 |
| Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology. | Associate | $47,260 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $42,682 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Associate | $42,682 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $34,704 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $32,925 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $32,563 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $30,771 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Associate | $30,119 |
Campus Life
Levelland sits in rural West Texas, about 30 miles from Lubbock, surrounded by cotton fields and oil derricks. With housing for just 779 students and total enrollment of 6,124, most Texans commute from nearby towns or live off-campus. The campus feels intimate with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio that makes professors accessible. You'll definitely need sunscreen more than a winter coat in this high plains climate.
Women outnumber men 61% to 37%, and over half the student body is Hispanic. The athletic program draws serious attention with 136 student-athletes competing in six NJCAA sports, backed by $757,419 in scholarships. Basketball games pack the gym on weekends. Many students work part-time jobs in agriculture or oil fields while completing technical programs. The 94.6% employment rate reflects the college's reputation for career-ready training. Social life revolves around athletics, student organizations, and trips to Lubbock for entertainment. The small-town setting means everyone knows each other, creating a tight-knit community feel despite the commuter-heavy population.
Women outnumber men 61% to 37%, and over half the student body is Hispanic. The athletic program draws serious attention with 136 student-athletes competing in six NJCAA sports, backed by $757,419 in scholarships. Basketball games pack the gym on weekends. Many students work part-time jobs in agriculture or oil fields while completing technical programs. The 94.6% employment rate reflects the college's reputation for career-ready training. Social life revolves around athletics, student organizations, and trips to Lubbock for entertainment. The small-town setting means everyone knows each other, creating a tight-knit community feel despite the commuter-heavy population.
- Setting
- Town-Distant
- Housing Capacity
- 779 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
Campus Safety (2023)
9 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fondling | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 26°–52°F
- July Avg
- 66°–91°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 19.8"
- Annual Snowfall
- -769.8"
Student Demographics
South Plains College draws primarily from Texas, with 94% of students staying close to home for affordable education. The student body is majority Hispanic, reflecting the demographics of West Texas and the school's role serving local farming and oil communities. Women outnumber men , attracted by the college's strong nursing and health science programs alongside traditional liberal arts transfers. With 40% of students receiving Pell Grants, South Plains serves working-class families seeking practical career training or a low-cost pathway to four-year universities.
- Men
- 38.9%
- Women
- 61.1%
- White
- 34.4%
- Black
- 7.4%
- Hispanic
- 54.2%
- Asian
- 2.1%
- In-State Students
- 93.6%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 40.0%
Location
Levelland sits in the heart of the Texas South Plains, about 30 miles west of Lubbock. The town of roughly 13,000 residents serves as the seat of Hockley County in this flat, agricultural region known for cotton farming and oil production. With 93.56% of students coming from in-state, South Plains College draws heavily from small West Texas communities. The campus provides a classic small-town college experience where students know their professors personally. The surrounding area offers wide open skies and that distinctive West Texas landscape of endless horizons. Housing capacity of 779 students means many live on campus in this tight-knit community. Students considering colleges in Texas may also compare South Plains College with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Levelland, Texas 79336
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $41,276
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $42,595
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $32,000
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 40.2%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $111/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $10,500
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the student-faculty ratio at South Plains College?
South Plains College maintains a 16:1 student-faculty ratio across its 6,124 enrolled students. This relatively small class size supports the college's focus on hands-on technical education and career preparation programs.
How much does South Plains College cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $7,062 after financial aid at South Plains College. With 40.02% of students receiving Pell Grants, the college serves many first-generation and low-income students pursuing affordable career training.
What is the graduation rate at South Plains College?
South Plains College has a 25.20% six-year graduation rate, which is typical for community colleges where many students transfer or enter the workforce before completing degrees. The college emphasizes practical skills training that leads to immediate employment opportunities.
How much do South Plains College graduates earn after graduation?
Graduates earn a median of $41,276 ten years after enrollment at South Plains College. The college's career-focused technical programs prepare students for well-paying jobs in trades and healthcare fields that are in high demand in rural Texas.
Where is South Plains College located and what is campus life like?
South Plains College sits in Levelland, Texas, a small town setting with housing capacity for 779 students. The campus serves a diverse student body that is 54.20% Hispanic and draws 93.56% of its students from within Texas.
Does South Plains College have strong athletics programs?
South Plains College fields 6 varsity sports teams competing at the NJCAA level with 136 total athletes. The Texans receive $757,419 in athletic scholarships, reflecting the college's commitment to combining athletics with affordable education in rural West Texas.
