Austin Community College District vs Amarillo College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Austin Community College District comes closer — median earnings $43,177 against a $12,780 total, vs $41,302 at Amarillo College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Austin Community College District | Amarillo College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,390 | $4,600 |
| Total net cost | $12,780 | $9,200 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $43,177 | $41,302 |
| Median debt | $10,499 | $15,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$116,440 | -$150,360 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Austin Community College District or Amarillo College?
Amarillo College, at $4,600 a year after aid versus $6,390 — a gap of $1,790 a year, or $3,580 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Austin Community College District or Amarillo College graduates earn more?
Austin Community College District graduates report a median $43,177 ten years after entry, $1,875 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, Austin Community College District or Amarillo College?
Austin Community College District: its completers carry a median $10,499 in federal loans versus $15,000 at Amarillo College, a difference of $4,501. 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 20% at Austin Community College District. 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.