Head-to-head · 2026
Dallas College vs South Texas College
Compare average net price ($3,214 at Dallas College; $1,751 at South Texas College), ROI score (32.45 vs 52.52), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($41,714 vs $36,788), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Dallas College; 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 | Dallas College | South Texas College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 32.45 | 52.52 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $3,214 | $1,751 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $12,856 | $7,004 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $2,730 | $4,920 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $6,900 | $7,620 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $41,714 ✓ | $36,788 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 32.3% ✓ | 27.3% |
| Retention rate | 66.7% ✓ | 58.5% |
| Median debt | $9,500 | — |
| Enrollment | 43,869 | 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 | Dallas College | South Texas College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $2,120 | $1,395 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $2,530 | $1,651 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,023 | $3,841 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $7,185 | $5,274 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $9,504 | — |
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 | Dallas College | South Texas College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 48.3% | 23.4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 7.9% | 5% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 3.5% | 6.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2.7% | 5.7% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 2.4% | 5.2% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 1.9% | 5.5% |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 5.3% | 2% |
| Precision Metal Working | 1% | 6.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
South Texas College reports the lower average net price by $1,463 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $5,852 difference over four years ($7,004 vs $12,856).
Dallas College reports $4,926 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($41,714 vs $36,788). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 66.7% at Dallas College and 58.5% at South Texas College. Debt data is incomplete for at least one school, so it is not used as a deciding signal here.
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
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Dallas College vs South Texas College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
South Texas College is cheaper — average net price $1,751 per year vs $3,214 at Dallas College. The annual difference of $1,463 adds up to about $5,852 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Dallas College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $41,714 vs $36,788 at South Texas College. The gap in the federal data is $4,926. 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.