Head-to-head · 2026
South Texas College vs Wharton County Junior College
Compare average net price ($1,751 at South Texas College; $4,666 at Wharton County Junior College), ROI score (52.52 vs 24.09), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($36,788 vs $44,960), and admissions context (Open / not reported at South Texas College; Open / not reported at Wharton County Junior 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 | South Texas College | Wharton County Junior College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 52.52 ✓ | 24.09 |
| Avg net price | $1,751 ✓ | $4,666 |
| 4-year avg net price | $7,004 ✓ | $18,664 |
| In-state tuition | $4,920 | $3,192 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $7,620 | $5,904 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $36,788 | $44,960 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 27.3% ✓ | 27.3% |
| Retention rate | 58.5% | 71.4% ✓ |
| Median debt | — | $7,703 |
| Enrollment | 15,856 | 4,585 |
| 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 | South Texas College | Wharton County Junior College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $1,395 ✓ | $1,779 |
| Family income $30–48k | $1,651 ✓ | $2,267 |
| Family income $48–75k | $3,841 ✓ | $5,236 |
| Family income $75–110k | $5,274 ✓ | $9,365 |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $10,787 |
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 | South Texas College | Wharton County Junior College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 23.4% | 22.1% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 3.1% | 12.9% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 5.5% | 7.9% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 5.2% | 5.6% |
| Precision Metal Working | 6.3% | 2.4% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 6.4% | 1.5% |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | 4% | 2.8% |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | 1% | 4.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
South Texas College reports the lower average net price by $2,915 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $11,660 difference over four years ($7,004 vs $18,664).
Wharton County Junior College reports $8,172 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($44,960 vs $36,788). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 58.5% at South Texas College and 71.4% at Wharton County Junior 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
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Frequently asked
South Texas College vs Wharton County Junior 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 $4,666 at Wharton County Junior College. The annual difference of $2,915 adds up to about $11,660 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Wharton County Junior College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $44,960 vs $36,788 at South Texas College. The gap in the federal data is $8,172. 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.