At $5,355/yr net price, Southwest College for the Deaf graduates earn $38,382/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,382/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,355 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $21,420 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,382/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,382/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 80.0% |
| 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 | $2,524/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,177/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,190/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $27,048 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $25,452 | $7,700 |
The Risk Factor
80.0% of students at Southwest College for the Deaf graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Southwest College for the Deaf runs low on cost and low on payoff. You pay $5,355 a year and leave with about $9,500 in debt, which is light for a college degree. The 80% graduation rate means you have a real shot at finishing. But the median earnings ten years out sit under $40,000, and that ceiling shapes everything here.
Only two programs report earnings, both associate degrees, and both land under $28,000 a year. Criminal Justice and Corrections pays slightly more than Liberal Arts and General Studies, but neither clears $30,000. Liberal Arts is a transfer track, so its low earnings figure reflects students who stopped at the associate degree instead of moving on to a four-year school. If you plan to end your education here, expect wages in that range. If you plan to transfer, the low debt on the Liberal Arts path ($7,700) makes it a cheap stepping stone to a bachelor's elsewhere.
The financial risk here is the earnings floor, not the debt. You will not borrow much, but the jobs these degrees lead to in the Big Spring area pay modestly. If your goal is a career that pays well straight out of an associate degree, this is not the match.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $30k in family income, you pay about $2,524 a year. Between $48k and $75k, your price nearly quadruples to $9,190, and at that point the modest earnings payoff gets harder to justify.
This school fits you if you need Deaf-centered instruction, want to keep debt near zero, and plan to transfer or enter a local corrections or general-studies path. If you want strong first-job earnings, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southwest College for the Deaf worth the cost compared to other colleges?
Southwest College for the Deaf offers a low net price of $5,355 per year, but graduates earn just $38,382 annually after 10 years. While the debt load is manageable at $9,500, the earnings are well below national averages for college graduates.
What programs at Southwest College for the Deaf have the best return on investment?
Criminal Justice graduates from Southwest College for the Deaf earn around $27,048 annually, while Liberal Arts graduates earn about $25,452. Both programs offer modest returns given the school's low costs, but earnings remain below typical college graduate salaries.
How much debt do Southwest College for the Deaf students typically graduate with?
Students at Southwest College for the Deaf graduate with a median debt of $9,500, which is relatively low compared to national averages. The manageable debt load helps offset the lower post-graduation earnings.
What is the graduation rate at Southwest College for the Deaf and does it affect ROI?
Southwest College for the Deaf has an 80% graduation rate, which is strong and reduces the risk of taking on debt without completing a degree. However, the low post-graduation earnings still present ROI challenges regardless of completion rates.