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The University of Texas at San Antonio vs San Antonio College: which has better ROI?

Public, San Antonio TX · vs · Public, San Antonio TX

The verdict

The University of Texas at San Antonio has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $43,344 in 4.9 years versus not at all at San Antonio College, on median earnings of $57,131 vs $39,711 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureThe University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio College
Net price / yr$10,836$4,585
Total net cost$43,344$9,170
Median earnings, 10 yrs$57,131$39,711
Median debt$20,500$10,500
Payback4.9 yrs
20-year net return$132,076-$182,150

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

Which is cheaper, The University of Texas at San Antonio or San Antonio College?

San Antonio College, at $4,585 a year after aid versus $10,836 — a gap of $6,251 a year, or $34,174 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do The University of Texas at San Antonio or San Antonio College graduates earn more?

The University of Texas at San Antonio graduates report a median $57,131 ten years after entry, $17,420 more than the $39,711 at San Antonio 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, The University of Texas at San Antonio or San Antonio College?

San Antonio College: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $20,500 at The University of Texas at San Antonio, a difference of $10,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

53% of students finish at The University of Texas at San Antonio, against 26% at San Antonio 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.

The University of Texas at San Antonio vs San Antonio College: frequently asked questions

Is The University of Texas at San Antonio or San Antonio College a better value?
The University of Texas at San Antonio. It clears its $43,344 net cost in about 4.9 years versus no clear payback at San Antonio College, on median earnings of $57,131 vs $39,711 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, The University of Texas at San Antonio or San Antonio College?
San Antonio College: $4,585/yr net price after aid versus $10,836/yr at The University of Texas at San Antonio — a difference of $6,251 a year, or about $34,174 over four years.
Do The University of Texas at San Antonio or San Antonio College graduates earn more?
The University of Texas at San Antonio graduates earn a median $57,131 ten years after entry, versus $39,711 at San Antonio College — a $17,420 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.