Tarrant County College District vs Texas Christian University: which has better ROI?
Texas Christian University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $146,640 in 7.3 years versus not at all at Tarrant County College District, on median earnings of $68,424 vs $42,727 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Tarrant County College District | Texas Christian University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,337 | $36,660 |
| Total net cost | $8,674 | $146,640 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,727 | $68,424 |
| Median debt | $9,104 | $21,500 |
| Payback | — | 7.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$121,334 | $254,640 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Tarrant County College District or Texas Christian University?
Tarrant County College District, at $4,337 a year after aid versus $36,660 — a gap of $32,323 a year, or $137,966 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Tarrant County College District or Texas Christian University graduates earn more?
Texas Christian University graduates report a median $68,424 ten years after entry, $25,697 more than the $42,727 at Tarrant County College District. 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, Tarrant County College District or Texas Christian University?
Tarrant County College District: its completers carry a median $9,104 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Texas Christian University, a difference of $12,396. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
86% of students finish at Texas Christian University, against 34% at Tarrant County 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.