Del Mar College vs Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi: which has better ROI?
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $60,900 in 17.4 years versus not at all at Del Mar College, on median earnings of $51,865 vs $38,656 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Del Mar College | Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,399 | $15,225 |
| Total net cost | $6,798 | $60,900 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,656 | $51,865 |
| Median debt | $5,500 | $23,000 |
| Payback | — | 17.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$200,878 | $9,200 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Del Mar College or Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi?
Del Mar College, at $3,399 a year after aid versus $15,225 — a gap of $11,826 a year, or $54,102 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Del Mar College or Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi graduates earn more?
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi graduates report a median $51,865 ten years after entry, $13,209 more than the $38,656 at Del Mar 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, Del Mar College or Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi?
Del Mar College: its completers carry a median $5,500 in federal loans versus $23,000 at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi, a difference of $17,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
40% of students finish at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi, against 11% at Del Mar 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.