Texas A&M University-College Station vs Lone Star College System: which has better ROI?
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 Lone Star College System, on median earnings of $72,097 vs $42,466 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Texas A&M University-College Station | Lone Star College System |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,315 | $11,252 |
| Total net cost | $85,260 | $22,504 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $72,097 | $42,466 |
| Median debt | $17,804 | $8,600 |
| Payback | 3.6 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $389,480 | -$140,384 |
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 Lone Star College System?
Lone Star College System, at $11,252 a year after aid versus $21,315 — a gap of $10,063 a year, or $62,756 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 Lone Star College System graduates earn more?
Texas A&M University-College Station graduates report a median $72,097 ten years after entry, $29,631 more than the $42,466 at Lone Star College System. 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 Lone Star College System?
Lone Star College System: its completers carry a median $8,600 in federal loans versus $17,804 at Texas A&M University-College Station, a difference of $9,204. 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 21% at Lone Star College System. 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.