At $4,094/yr net price, Western Texas College graduates earn $42,508/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $8,508/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,094 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $16,376 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,508/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$8,508/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 58.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $7,515 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $2,542/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,325/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,047/yr |
The Risk Factor
58.5% of students at Western Texas College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Western Texas College gives you a low-cost, low-risk financial setup. You pay about $4,000 a year net, and you leave with a median debt of roughly $7,500. That debt is small enough to clear in a year or two on the median earnings this school produces. The math works because the downside is capped, not because the payoff is large.
Median earnings ten years out land near the pay of many trade and support roles in this part of West Texas. Snyder sits in oil, gas, and agricultural country, so the return here depends on what you study. Applied and technical programs that feed the local energy and service economy pay off fastest because you can start earning quickly and your debt is tiny. As a two-year public college, the credentials here are associate degrees and certificates, so treat this as a step toward a job or a transfer, not a bachelor's-level outcome.
The main risk is the transfer gap. A 58.5% graduation rate means a real share of students leave without finishing. If you stop out but still take on the cost, you carry the price without the credential that justifies it. Your return also depends on staying in a region where energy jobs swing with commodity prices.
This school fits you if you live nearby, want a cheap credential for local work, or plan to transfer to a four-year school after knocking out early coursework. The net price tiers reward lower incomes: under $30k you pay about $2,500, while a $48-75k household pays over twice that. If you want a bachelor's degree with strong earnings on its own, this is a starting point, and you should look at the four-year school you transfer into to judge your real return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Western Texas College worth the cost?
Western Texas College offers decent value with a low net price of $4,094 annually and manageable debt of $7,515. However, graduates earn a median of $42,508 ten years later, which is below national averages for college graduates.
What is the return on investment for Western Texas College?
The ROI is mixed - you'll pay relatively little and graduate with minimal debt, but earning potential remains limited at around $42,500. This works best for students seeking affordable credentials for local employment or as a transfer pathway.
How much debt do Western Texas College graduates typically have?
Graduates typically leave with $7,515 in debt, which is significantly lower than national averages. The low debt load makes this school less risky financially than most four-year institutions.
Does Western Texas College have good graduation rates?
The graduation rate is 58.5%, which is reasonable for a community college. This means about 4 out of 10 students don't complete their programs, so success depends heavily on individual commitment and preparation.