Head-to-head · 2026
College of the Mainland vs South Texas College
Compare average net price ($1,342 at College of the Mainland; $1,751 at South Texas College), ROI score (73.84 vs 52.52), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($39,639 vs $36,788), and admissions context (Open / not reported at College of the Mainland; Open / not reported at South Texas College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | College of the Mainland | South Texas College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 73.84 ✓ | 52.52 |
| Avg net price | $1,342 ✓ | $1,751 |
| 4-year avg net price | $5,368 ✓ | $7,004 |
| In-state tuition | $2,310 | $4,920 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $4,140 | $7,620 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $39,639 ✓ | $36,788 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 31.2% ✓ | 27.3% |
| Retention rate | — | 58.5% |
| Median debt | $5,960 | — |
| Enrollment | 3,368 | 15,856 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | College of the Mainland | South Texas College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $1,352 ✓ | $1,395 |
| Family income $30–48k | $200 ✓ | $1,651 |
| Family income $48–75k | — | $3,841 |
| Family income $75–110k | — | $5,274 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | College of the Mainland | South Texas College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 38.4% | 23.4% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 9.2% | 5.2% |
| Precision Metal Working | 3.8% | 6.3% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 3% | 6.4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 4.2% | 5% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 2.4% | 5.5% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 1.7% | 5.7% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 0.9% | 4.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
College of the Mainland reports the lower average net price by $409 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $1,636 difference over four years ($5,368 vs $7,004).
College of the Mainland reports $2,851 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($39,639 vs $36,788). This is not earnings for a specific major.
Retention data is incomplete for at least one school. Compare the available graduation, debt, price and admissions context without treating a missing field as an advantage.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
College of the Mainland vs South Texas College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
College of the Mainland is cheaper — average net price $1,342 per year vs $1,751 at South Texas College. The annual difference of $409 adds up to about $1,636 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
College of the Mainland reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $39,639 vs $36,788 at South Texas College. The gap in the federal data is $2,851. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.