Degree Dividend
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Texas State Technical College vs Alvin Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Waco TX · vs · Public, Alvin TX

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Alvin Community College comes closer — median earnings $45,762 against a $17,050 total, vs $38,916 at Texas State Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureTexas State Technical CollegeAlvin Community College
Net price / yr$13,508$8,525
Total net cost$54,032$17,050
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,916$45,762
Median debt$9,500$4,519
Payback
20-year net return-$242,912-$69,010

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

Which is cheaper, Texas State Technical College or Alvin Community College?

Alvin Community College, at $8,525 a year after aid versus $13,508 — a gap of $4,983 a year, or $36,982 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 State Technical College or Alvin Community College graduates earn more?

Alvin Community College graduates report a median $45,762 ten years after entry, $6,846 more than the $38,916 at Texas State Technical 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 State Technical College or Alvin Community College?

Alvin Community College: its completers carry a median $4,519 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Texas State Technical College, a difference of $4,981. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

46% of students finish at Texas State Technical College, against 24% at Alvin Community 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 State Technical College vs Alvin Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Texas State Technical College or Alvin Community College a better value?
Alvin 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, Texas State Technical College or Alvin Community College?
Alvin Community College: $8,525/yr net price after aid versus $13,508/yr at Texas State Technical College — a difference of $4,983 a year, or about $36,982 over four years.
Do Texas State Technical College or Alvin Community College graduates earn more?
Alvin Community College graduates earn a median $45,762 ten years after entry, versus $38,916 at Texas State Technical College — a $6,846 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.