About Wharton County Junior College
Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $2,465 after aid, making this one of the most affordable pathways to career training in Texas. Even higher-income families rarely pay more than $10,000 total. Graduates earn a median of $44,960 ten years after starting, while carrying only $7,703 in debt with $82 monthly payments. The 92.2% employment rate shows employers value the hands-on training students receive.
The student body reflects Texas demographics with 46% Hispanic students and 25% white students, creating a diverse learning environment. Only 127 students live on campus, so most commute from surrounding rural communities. The Pioneers compete in four NJCAA sports with 85 total athletes sharing $463,301 in athletic scholarships. The 17:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personal attention in technical labs and agricultural facilities that prepare students for immediate employment.
Academics & Faculty
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 59.2%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 19.6%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $44,960
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Science Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $67,566 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $59,485 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $57,318 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $52,941 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $50,356 |
| Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $50,000 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $40,467 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $38,289 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $20,140 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. | Certificate | $12,961 |
Campus Life
Nearly 100% of students come from in-state, creating a tight-knit community where everyone knows each other. The 85 student-athletes competing in four NJCAA sports often anchor campus social life, with baseball and softball drawing local crowds. Weekend options are limited in this town of 8,000, so many students head to Houston for entertainment or stick around for campus events. The agricultural and technical programs reflect the region's economy, with students often balancing coursework with part-time jobs on local farms or in nearby petrochemical plants. Study groups frequently form around career-focused programs rather than traditional college social scenes.
- Setting
- Town-Distant
- Housing Capacity
- 127 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1946
Campus Safety (2023)
1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fondling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 42°–64°F
- July Avg
- 74°–95°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 49.6"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
- Men
- 42.8%
- Women
- 57.2%
- White
- 24.6%
- Black
- 12.7%
- Hispanic
- 46.0%
- Asian
- 15.0%
- In-State Students
- 99.5%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 26.5%
Location
- Address
- Wharton, Texas 77488
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $44,960
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $52,889
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $34,100
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 41.2%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $82/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $7,703
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the admission requirements at Wharton County Junior College?
Wharton County Junior College maintains open admission for students with a high school diploma or equivalent. The college serves 4,832 students with nearly all (99.54%) coming from Texas. As a community college founded in 1946, it focuses on providing accessible higher education to rural Texas communities.
How much does Wharton County Junior College cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $5,021 annually at Wharton County Junior College. In-state tuition runs $2,916 while out-of-state students pay $5,568. The college keeps costs low for working families, with students from households earning under $30,000 paying just $2,465 after aid.
What academic programs is Wharton County Junior College known for?
The college maintains a 17:1 student-faculty ratio across its agricultural and technical programs. Students can choose from semester-based courses designed for rural Texas career needs. The Pioneers compete in four NJCAA varsity sports with 85 total athletes supported by $463,301 in athletic scholarships.
What are the job prospects after graduating from Wharton County Junior College?
Graduates achieve a 92.2% employment rate with median earnings of $44,960 ten years after enrollment. The college's focus on practical skills training serves students well in the job market. However, only 19.60% complete their programs within six years, reflecting the challenges many community college students face.
Does Wharton County Junior College have on-campus housing?
The college offers limited on-campus housing with capacity for just 127 students. Room and board costs $5,600 annually for those who live on campus. Most students commute from the surrounding rural Texas communities that the college has served since 1946.
What makes Wharton County Junior College's student body unique?
The student population is 45.99% Hispanic and 57.18% female, reflecting the changing demographics of rural Texas. Only 26.52% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting many come from working-class families just above the poverty line. The college serves as an important stepping stone for first-generation college students in agricultural communities.
