Degree Dividend
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Amarillo College vs Lee College: which has better ROI?

Public, Amarillo TX · vs · Public, Baytown TX

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Amarillo College comes closer — median earnings $41,302 against a $9,200 total, vs $42,178 at Lee College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAmarillo CollegeLee College
Net price / yr$4,600$6,879
Total net cost$9,200$27,516
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,302$42,178
Median debt$15,000$7,500
Payback
20-year net return-$150,360-$151,156

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Amarillo College or Lee College?

Amarillo College, at $4,600 a year after aid versus $6,879 — a gap of $2,279 a year, or $18,316 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Amarillo College or Lee College graduates earn more?

Lee College graduates report a median $42,178 ten years after entry, $876 more than the $41,302 at Amarillo College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Amarillo College or Lee College?

Lee College: its completers carry a median $7,500 in federal loans versus $15,000 at Amarillo College, a difference of $7,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

53% of students finish at Lee College, against 32% at Amarillo College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Amarillo College vs Lee College: frequently asked questions

Is Amarillo College or Lee College a better value?
Amarillo College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Amarillo College or Lee College?
Amarillo College: $4,600/yr net price after aid versus $6,879/yr at Lee College — a difference of $2,279 a year, or about $18,316 over four years.
Do Amarillo College or Lee College graduates earn more?
Lee College graduates earn a median $42,178 ten years after entry, versus $41,302 at Amarillo College — a $876 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.