Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals College Scorecard official source

Affordable Alternatives to Clarendon College

Open-data reference.

We found 7 schools structurally similar to Clarendon College that cost less. 7 offer comparable or better earnings outcomes.

Your School

Clarendon College

Clarendon, Texas · Public

$8,390
Net Price
$38,696
Median Earnings (10yr)
N/A
Acceptance Rate
51.3%
150%-Time Completion

What the IPEDS & College Scorecard Data Shows for Alternatives to Clarendon College

Clarendon College posts an average net price of $8,390 after grants and scholarships, the IPEDS-derived figure used to anchor this alternatives search. We screened institutions in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System for colleges that report a lower net price and share structural similarity with Clarendon College across six dimensions – ownership sector, Carnegie classification, undergraduate enrollment, admission rate, former-student earnings, and completion rate. 7 institutions cleared a 40-percent similarity threshold.

The maximum possible savings across this list is $5,242, achieved by CUNY Lehman College at $3,148. Of greater interest to ROI-focused applicants: 7 of the 7 alternatives also report median 10-year earnings at or above Clarendon College’s $38,696, meaning lower cost is not paired with lower earnings. The mean median-earnings figure across alternatives is $51,918.

The similarity scoring gives enrollment size, Carnegie classification, and ownership sector the highest weights as transparent structural matching choices. Admission and completion rates are secondary features, while net price determines which lower-cost matches appear. Net price is the average cost of attendance minus grant and scholarship aid for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients; it describes that source cohort, not the aid a typical admitted student or any individual family will receive. It is more informative than sticker tuition for that cohort but is not a personalized quote.

Similar Schools That Cost Less

7
Alternatives Found
$5,242
Max Savings
7
Better Value Options
60%
Best Match
Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings Horizontal bar chart of the top 5 items by value (USD). Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings 1. Bates Technical College $50k 2. Renton Technical College $50k 3. Ohio University-Southern Cam $53k 4. West Valley College $52k 5. Las Positas College $51k Compared to Clarendon College: $39k.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Institution-level earnings + cost-of-attendance file · Institution data retrieved July 2026 Institution earnings use federally aided entry cohorts and are not graduate-only; net price is the cohort average for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients.

School Net Price Savings Earnings (10yr) Graduation Similarity
Bates Technical College
Tacoma, WA · Public Better Value
$6,292 -$2,098 $50,051 43.4% 60%
Renton Technical College
Renton, WA · Public Better Value
$8,296 -$94 $49,782 50.4% 52%
Ohio University-Southern Campus
Ironton, OH · Public Better Value
$5,993 -$2,397 $52,581 20.2% 47%
West Valley College
Saratoga, CA · Public Better Value
$3,423 -$4,967 $51,688 51.5% 41%
Las Positas College
Livermore, CA · Public Better Value
$5,377 -$3,013 $51,088 50.7% 41%
CUNY Lehman College
Bronx, NY · Public Better Value
$3,148 -$5,242 $58,013 50.3% 40%
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY · Public Better Value
$8,191 -$199 $50,220 50.2% 40%

How We Match Schools

Our similarity engine compares schools across six dimensions: institution type (Carnegie classification), ownership (public/private), enrollment size, admission selectivity, former-student earnings, and completion rates. Each dimension is weighted by its impact on student outcomes.

Only schools with a lower average net price than Clarendon College are shown. Schools marked "Better Value" have comparable or higher median earnings at a lower cost.

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median values 10 years after enrollment, drawn from U.S. Treasury tax records. Net price is the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students, as reported through IPEDS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are cheaper alternatives to Clarendon College?
We found 7 schools similar to Clarendon College that cost less. The closest match is Bates Technical College with 60% similarity and a net price of $6,292.
What is the ROI of attending Clarendon College?
Clarendon College has an average net price of $8,390. Former students earn a median of $38,696 ten years after enrollment. The earnings-to-cost ratio is 4.6x.
Are there schools with better outcomes than Clarendon College for less money?
Yes - 7 of 7 alternatives offer comparable or higher median earnings at a lower net price. Bates Technical College costs $6,292 (saving $2,098) with median earnings of $50,051.
What is the cheapest alternative to Clarendon College?
The most affordable similar school is CUNY Lehman College at $3,148, saving $5,242 compared to Clarendon College. It has a 40% similarity score.
How do alternative schools' earnings compare?
The 7 alternatives have an average median earnings of $51,918 compared to Clarendon College's $38,696. On average, alternatives match or exceed this school's earnings. Individual results vary, check the comparison table above.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.