At $5,458/yr net price, Texas Southmost College graduates earn $41,900/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,900/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,458 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $21,832 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,900/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,900/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 26.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,139/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,053/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,340/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,489/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,487/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. | Bachelor | $81,333 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $66,036 | |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $55,512 | |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $49,631 | |
| Music. | Bachelor | $48,432 | |
| Engineering Physics. | Bachelor | $45,529 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $44,091 | $5,500 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $43,798 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $42,185 | $11,125 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Bachelor | $41,894 |
The Risk Factor
26.8% of students at Texas Southmost 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
Texas Southmost College keeps costs low, and that low cost is the strongest part of its financial case. You borrow around $9,000 to graduate, and the net price stays under $6,000 a year for most families. Against a median earnings figure of $41,900 ten years out, the math works because you are not digging out of a deep hole.
The nursing programs are where the payoff lives. The associate degree in Registered Nursing is the clear winner, earning more than the practical nursing certificate and roughly double what the general computer sciences associate returns. If you come here for nursing, the return is strong for a two-year public college in the Rio Grande Valley, and the local hospital and clinic demand backs that up.
The weaker programs are worth naming plainly. Computer and Information Sciences graduates earn the least of any program listed, and social work pays little while carrying over $10,000 in debt. The allied health associate also loads more debt than nursing for lower earnings. If one of these is your plan, treat this as a transfer step, not the finish line.
The real risk here is finishing at all. Fewer than three in ten students graduate, and the low price only pays off if you complete a credential. Dropping out means you spent money and time with no degree to show for it.
This school fits you if you have a nursing or clinical health goal and want to keep debt near zero. If your family earns under $30,000, your net price drops to about $4,100, making it one of the cheapest paths available. Higher earners pay more but still land under most four-year prices. Look elsewhere if you want a computing or social work career and expect earnings to justify the time spent here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Texas Southmost College worth the cost?
Texas Southmost College offers good value with a low net price of $5,458 and manageable debt of $9,000. However, the 27% graduation rate is concerning and could limit your ability to complete your degree.
What majors at Texas Southmost College have the best ROI?
Nursing programs at Texas Southmost College offer strong returns, with graduates earning around $66,000-$81,000 annually. Other programs like music and counseling have much lower earnings potential at $48,000-$50,000.
How much debt do Texas Southmost College graduates have?
Texas Southmost College graduates typically leave with $9,000 in debt, which is relatively low compared to national averages. The affordable tuition helps keep borrowing minimal for those who complete their programs.
What are the job prospects after Texas Southmost College?
Texas Southmost College graduates earn a median of $41,900 ten years after enrollment. Nursing graduates do significantly better, but the low graduation rate means many students don't reach these earning levels.