At $6,073/yr net price, Tarrant County College District graduates earn $42,727/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $8,727/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,073 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $24,292 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,727/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$8,727/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 25.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,104 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,970/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,682/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,618/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,513/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,273/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $61,516 | |
| Fire Protection. | Associate | $57,318 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $56,415 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $55,724 | $11,368 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $55,102 | $14,683 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $47,327 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $47,260 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $42,682 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $42,123 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Certificate | $41,193 | $10,849 |
The Risk Factor
25.6% of students at Tarrant County College District 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
Tarrant County College District delivers solid returns for healthcare and public safety programs but weak outcomes across most other fields. The $6,073 annual cost keeps debt manageable, but the 25.6% graduation rate means three-quarters of students leave without completing their programs.
Your best financial bets are allied health programs, which produce median earnings above $55,000 annually. Fire protection graduates earn $57,318 while taking on minimal debt. Nursing students face higher debt at $11,368 but still achieve strong earnings at $55,724. Dental support programs offer excellent returns with $56,415 in median earnings.
Other programs show concerning returns. The overall median earnings of $42,727 suggest many graduates struggle to earn substantially more than Texas workers without college degrees. Combined with the low graduation rate, this points to significant financial risk for students outside the top-performing health programs.
This school works best if you have clear career goals in healthcare or emergency services and can commit to completing your program. The low net price makes it reasonable to test your interest in these fields without devastating financial consequences. However, you should avoid TCCD if you need extensive academic support to graduate or plan to pursue general studies without a specific career path.
Financial aid reaches only 27.5% of students, suggesting most pay the relatively low sticker price. Focus on completing your program quickly to maximize your return, as the earnings data only reflects graduates who finish their degrees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tarrant County College District worth the cost?
At $6,073 per year with low debt of $9,104, Tarrant County College District offers good value for students who complete programs in high-paying fields like nursing or allied health. However, the 25.6% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which hurts overall ROI.
What are the highest paying programs at Tarrant County College District?
Allied health programs at Tarrant County College District lead earnings, with medical assisting averaging $61,516 and nursing programs around $55,724. Fire protection graduates earn $57,318, significantly above the overall graduate average of $42,727.
How much debt do Tarrant County College District graduates have?
Tarrant County College District graduates have a median debt of $9,104, which is manageable compared to four-year colleges. The low cost and minimal debt make it financially safer than most alternatives.
Why is Tarrant County College District's graduation rate so low?
Only 25.6% of students graduate from Tarrant County College District, reflecting the challenges many community college students face with work, family, and academic preparation. Students who do graduate in healthcare fields see strong returns, but completion risk is high.