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Texas A&M University-College Station vs Dallas College: which has better ROI?

Public, College Station TX · vs · Public, Dallas TX

The verdict

Texas A&M University-College Station has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $85,260 in 3.6 years versus not at all at Dallas College, on median earnings of $72,097 vs $41,714 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureTexas A&M University-College StationDallas College
Net price / yr$21,315$3,214
Total net cost$85,260$6,428
Median earnings, 10 yrs$72,097$41,714
Median debt$17,804$9,500
Payback3.6 yrs
20-year net return$389,480-$139,348

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

Which is cheaper, Texas A&M University-College Station or Dallas College?

Dallas College, at $3,214 a year after aid versus $21,315 — a gap of $18,101 a year, or $78,832 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Texas A&M University-College Station or Dallas College graduates earn more?

Texas A&M University-College Station graduates report a median $72,097 ten years after entry, $30,383 more than the $41,714 at Dallas 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, Texas A&M University-College Station or Dallas College?

Dallas College: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $17,804 at Texas A&M University-College Station, a difference of $8,304. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

84% of students finish at Texas A&M University-College Station, against 32% at Dallas 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.

Texas A&M University-College Station vs Dallas College: frequently asked questions

Is Texas A&M University-College Station or Dallas College a better value?
Texas A&M University-College Station. It clears its $85,260 net cost in about 3.6 years versus no clear payback at Dallas College, on median earnings of $72,097 vs $41,714 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Texas A&M University-College Station or Dallas College?
Dallas College: $3,214/yr net price after aid versus $21,315/yr at Texas A&M University-College Station — a difference of $18,101 a year, or about $78,832 over four years.
Do Texas A&M University-College Station or Dallas College graduates earn more?
Texas A&M University-College Station graduates earn a median $72,097 ten years after entry, versus $41,714 at Dallas College — a $30,383 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.