South Texas College is a public institution offering bachelor's degrees based in McAllen, Texas. It enrolls 15,856 students (a very large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Academic CalendarSemester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Open / Online). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Strong
75/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Open / Online
Outcomes34
Value99
Affordability74
Selectivity—
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
Admissions data is not yet reported for South Texas College.
Acceptance Rate
—
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending South Texas College isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $1,751 per year. That's well below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$1,751
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
39%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
0%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$4,920
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$7,620
Room & Board (off-campus)
$8,638
Books & Supplies
$1,600
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$2,472
Total Cost of Attendance
$9,561
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$1,395
$30,001 – $48,000
$1,651
$48,001 – $75,000
$3,841
$75,001 – $110,000
$5,274
What this means:
39% of students receive Pell grants. Most cost is borne by families above Pell thresholds. Verify your individual aid offer before deciding.
Graduation Rate & Retention
27% of full-time students who enrolled at South Texas College graduate within six years, and 59% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
27%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
59%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered South Texas College earn a median of $36,788 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$36,788
Earning > $25K
60%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$30,300
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$44,200
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $13,900, about 31% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
What this means:
Strong return on investment. Every dollar of net annual cost is matched by ~$21.0 of median earnings 10 years out.
Who Studies Here
South Texas College is home to 15,856 students, a sprawling student community. Some distinctive traits: 61% are first-generation college students, 55% study part-time.
Total Enrolled
15,856
Part-Time
55%
First-Generation
61%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
Hispanic 94.9%15,054
White 2.2%352
Black 0.6%97
Asian 0.5%84
Other 0.3%44
International 0.1%17
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at South Texas College. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Midsize CityMcAllen, Texas
Housing
Commuter campusNo on-campus housing
Adult Learners
17%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)
What You Can Study
South Texas College offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
60 distinct programs across
27 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at South Texas College is 22:1, on the higher side.
Student : Faculty
22:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$6,276
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$339,580
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$63,547
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
557 instructional faculty across 4 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
67
12%
$71,390
Assistant Professors
2
0%
$70,517
Instructors
401
72%
$64,025
Lecturers
87
16%
$53,565
Pros & Cons of South Texas College
A quick at-a-glance summary of how South Texas College tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Very affordable net price after aid
First-gen-friendly student body
Flexible part-time enrollment options
CONS
Larger class sizes than typical
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
First-year retention is below typical
Earnings outcomes are on the lower side
No graduate programs offered at this institution
Best for:
Based on the data, South Texas College is a fit for
families focused on keeping net cost low; working adults or students needing part-time study options.
Frequently Asked Questions about South Texas College
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about South Texas College.
How much does South Texas College cost?
The average net price after aid at South Texas College is $1,751 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is South Texas College worth it?
Strong return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $36,788 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $1,751 per year. That's roughly 21.0x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is South Texas College known for?
South Texas College is best known for its programs in Liberal Arts, Criminal Justice, Business Administration. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do South Texas College graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering South Texas College are $36,788, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is South Texas College accredited?
Yes. South Texas College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
How many students attend South Texas College?
South Texas College enrolls 15,856 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at South Texas College?
South Texas College graduates 27% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is South Texas College a public or private college?
South Texas College is a Public institution.
Where is South Texas College located?
South Texas College is located in McAllen, Texas.
What programs does South Texas College offer?
South Texas College offers 60 distinct programs. The most popular include Liberal Arts, Criminal Justice, Business Administration.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at South Texas College?
The student-to-faculty ratio at South Texas College is 22:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Texas
Other colleges in Texas share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
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Related Guides
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Rankings That Feature South Texas College
South Texas College appears in these rankings, built from the same federal data and the UCD Score.
Best Biology Colleges in Texas
The top Biology colleges in Texas, ranked by UCD Score on outcomes, value, and net price.
91 UCD Score
104 Colleges
$1,300 Lowest Net
$89,718 Top Earn
Best Business Administration Colleges in Texas
The top Business Administration colleges in Texas, ranked by UCD Score on outcomes, value, and net price.
91 UCD Score
136 Colleges
$672 Lowest Net
$89,718 Top Earn
Best Computer Science Colleges in Texas
The top Computer Science colleges in Texas, ranked by UCD Score on outcomes, value, and net price.
80 UCD Score
45 Colleges
$1,751 Lowest Net
$78,354 Top Earn
Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Texas
The top Criminal Justice colleges in Texas, ranked by UCD Score on outcomes, value, and net price.
88 UCD Score
99 Colleges
$1,300 Lowest Net
$63,199 Top Earn
Best Nursing Colleges in Texas
The top Nursing colleges in Texas, ranked by UCD Score on outcomes, value, and net price.
88 UCD Score
117 Colleges
$1,300 Lowest Net
$88,757 Top Earn
Best Psychology Colleges in Texas
The top Psychology colleges in Texas, ranked by UCD Score on outcomes, value, and net price.
91 UCD Score
89 Colleges
$1,300 Lowest Net
$89,718 Top Earn
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