Amarillo College vs South University-Austin: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Amarillo College comes closer — median earnings $41,302 against a $9,200 total, vs $34,421 at South University-Austin. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Amarillo College | South University-Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,600 | $25,680 |
| Total net cost | $9,200 | $102,720 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $41,302 | $34,421 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $26,123 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$150,360 | -$381,500 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Amarillo College or South University-Austin?
Amarillo College, at $4,600 a year after aid versus $25,680 — a gap of $21,080 a year, or $93,520 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 South University-Austin graduates earn more?
Amarillo College graduates report a median $41,302 ten years after entry, $6,881 more than the $34,421 at South University-Austin. 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 South University-Austin?
Amarillo College: its completers carry a median $15,000 in federal loans versus $26,123 at South University-Austin, a difference of $11,123. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
32% of students finish at Amarillo College, against 0% at South University-Austin. 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.