Degree Dividend
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San Jacinto Community College vs Arlington Baptist University: which has better ROI?

Public, Pasadena TX · vs · Private nonprofit, Arlington TX

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but San Jacinto Community College comes closer — median earnings $43,062 against a $24,286 total, vs $44,644 at Arlington Baptist University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSan Jacinto Community CollegeArlington Baptist University
Net price / yr$12,143$24,906
Total net cost$24,286$99,624
Median earnings, 10 yrs$43,062$44,644
Median debt$9,500$27,000
Payback
20-year net return-$130,246-$173,944

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

Which is cheaper, San Jacinto Community College or Arlington Baptist University?

San Jacinto Community College, at $12,143 a year after aid versus $24,906 — a gap of $12,763 a year, or $75,338 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do San Jacinto Community College or Arlington Baptist University graduates earn more?

Arlington Baptist University graduates report a median $44,644 ten years after entry, $1,582 more than the $43,062 at San Jacinto Community 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, San Jacinto Community College or Arlington Baptist University?

San Jacinto Community College: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Arlington Baptist University, 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?

30% of students finish at San Jacinto Community College, against 19% at Arlington Baptist University. 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.

San Jacinto Community College vs Arlington Baptist University: frequently asked questions

Is San Jacinto Community College or Arlington Baptist University a better value?
San Jacinto Community 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, San Jacinto Community College or Arlington Baptist University?
San Jacinto Community College: $12,143/yr net price after aid versus $24,906/yr at Arlington Baptist University — a difference of $12,763 a year, or about $75,338 over four years.
Do San Jacinto Community College or Arlington Baptist University graduates earn more?
Arlington Baptist University graduates earn a median $44,644 ten years after entry, versus $43,062 at San Jacinto Community College — a $1,582 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.