Degree Dividend
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Palo Alto College vs Angelina College: which has better ROI?

Public, San Antonio TX · vs · Public, Lufkin TX

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Palo Alto College comes closer — median earnings $37,448 against a $8,926 total, vs $37,301 at Angelina College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasurePalo Alto CollegeAngelina College
Net price / yr$4,463$7,773
Total net cost$8,926$31,092
Median earnings, 10 yrs$37,448$37,301
Median debt$13,393
Payback
20-year net return-$227,166-$252,272

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

Which is cheaper, Palo Alto College or Angelina College?

Palo Alto College, at $4,463 a year after aid versus $7,773 — a gap of $3,310 a year, or $22,166 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Palo Alto College or Angelina College graduates earn more?

Palo Alto College graduates report a median $37,448 ten years after entry, $147 more than the $37,301 at Angelina 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 graduates more of its students?

33% of students finish at Palo Alto College, against 29% at Angelina 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.

Palo Alto College vs Angelina College: frequently asked questions

Is Palo Alto College or Angelina College a better value?
Palo Alto 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, Palo Alto College or Angelina College?
Palo Alto College: $4,463/yr net price after aid versus $7,773/yr at Angelina College — a difference of $3,310 a year, or about $22,166 over four years.
Do Palo Alto College or Angelina College graduates earn more?
Palo Alto College graduates earn a median $37,448 ten years after entry, versus $37,301 at Angelina College — a $147 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.