At $10,280/yr net price, Texas State Technical College graduates earn $38,916/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,916/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,280 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $41,120 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,916/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,916/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 37.5% |
| 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 | $7,281/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,885/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,999/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,036/yr |
| $110,001+ | $19,018/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. | Associate | $81,333 | $11,000 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. | Certificate | $73,737 | $7,335 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $64,150 | $15,746 |
| Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $57,860 | $10,834 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $50,439 | $12,955 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $49,621 | $11,000 |
| Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. | Certificate | $48,041 | |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $46,087 | |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $45,026 | $14,417 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $42,682 |
The Risk Factor
37.5% of students at Texas State Technical 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
The financial picture at Texas State Technical College depends almost entirely on which program you pick. The school-wide median earnings sit below $39,000, but that number buries the fact that TSTC's best technical tracks pay far more. Your choice of major here matters more than at most schools.
The power transmission programs are the clear winners. As a lineman with an associate degree, you can earn over $80,000 while carrying $11,000 in debt, and the certificate version pays nearly as well for less time and less debt. Registered nursing and electromechanical maintenance also clear the median comfortably. These are hands-on trades tied to Texas utilities, oil and gas, and healthcare, so the regional demand is real and the pay reflects it.
The risk is the 37.5% graduation rate. Two out of three of you who enroll will not finish, and the strong earnings above only apply if you complete a program. If you drop out, you keep the debt and lose the payoff. That completion gap is the single biggest threat to your return here.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $30k, you pay about $7,300. over $110k, you pay closer to $19,000. If your family earns under $48k, this is one of the cheaper paths into a skilled trade in Texas. Above $75k, the price climbs enough that you should weigh it against community college alternatives.
TSTC is a good fit if you want a specific technical credential, you're ready to finish it, and you're drawn to fields like line work, nursing, or industrial maintenance. Look elsewhere if you want a general education, a four-year degree, or a program outside the technical trades TSTC is built around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Texas State Technical College worth the money?
Texas State Technical College offers decent value with a low net price of $10,280 per year and median debt of only $9,500. However, the 37.5% graduation rate means many students don't finish, and average earnings of $38,916 ten years out are modest for technical fields.
What are the highest paying programs at Texas State Technical College?
Electrical and power transmission programs lead with graduates earning $73,000-$81,000 annually. Nursing graduates earn around $64,150, while electromechanical instrumentation pays about $57,860.
How much debt do Texas State Technical College graduates have?
Graduates leave with a median debt of $9,500, which is relatively low compared to most colleges. The low debt burden helps offset the school's below-average earnings outcomes.
What is the graduation rate at Texas State Technical College?
Only 37.5% of students graduate from Texas State Technical College. This low completion rate is a major concern, as students who don't finish often face debt without the credential needed for higher-paying technical jobs.