2026 data College Scorecard official source

Affordable Alternatives to Texas A & M International University

Open-data reference.

We found 15 schools structurally similar to Texas A & M International University that cost less. 10 offer comparable or better earnings outcomes.

Your School

Texas A & M International University

Laredo, Texas · Public

$3,637
Net Price
$48,386
Median Earnings (10yr)
44.4%
Acceptance Rate
47.6%
Graduation Rate

What the IPEDS & College Scorecard Data Shows for Alternatives to Texas A & M International University

Texas A & M International University posts an average net price of $3,637 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 Texas A & M International University across six dimensions — ownership sector, Carnegie classification, undergraduate enrollment, admission rate, graduate earnings, and completion rate. 15 institutions cleared a 40-percent similarity threshold.

The maximum possible savings across this list is $5,933, achieved by Moorpark College at $-2,296. Of greater interest to ROI-focused applicants: 10 of the 15 alternatives also report median 10-year earnings at or above Texas A & M International University’s $48,386, meaning lower cost is not paired with lower earnings. The mean median-earnings figure across alternatives is $50,897.

The similarity scoring treats enrollment size, Carnegie classification, and ownership sector as high-weight features because those structural attributes correlate most strongly with student experience and post-graduation outcomes in the College Scorecard literature. Admission rate and graduation rate enter as secondary features, while net price drives the cost-ranking that determines which institutions appear. Net price is an IPEDS-reported figure calculated as the average cost of attendance minus institutional and federal grants for first-time, full-time undergraduates receiving Title IV aid — so it already accounts for the aid a typical admitted student would receive. That makes it a more honest cost comparison than sticker-price tuition alone.

Similar Schools That Cost Less

15
Alternatives Found
$5,933
Max Savings
10
Better Value Options
69%
Best Match

Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings

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 Top 5 1. West Valley College $52k 2. Middlesex Community College $51k 3. Canada College $50k 4. Middlesex College $47k 5. Moraine Valley Community Col $44k Compared to Texas A & M International University: $48k.

Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard Institution-level earnings + cost-of-attendance file · 2024 (latest release) Median 10-year earnings reflect federal-aid recipients only; net price reflects sticker price minus average grants/scholarships.

School Net Price Savings Earnings (10yr) Graduation Similarity
West Valley College
Saratoga, CA · Public Better Value
$3,423 -$214 $51,688 N/A 69%
Middlesex Community College
Bedford, MA · Public Better Value
$2,624 -$1,013 $50,651 N/A 66%
Canada College
Redwood City, CA · Public Better Value
$32 -$3,605 $50,087 N/A 66%
Middlesex College
Edison, NJ · Public
$2,288 -$1,349 $46,861 N/A 65%
Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL · Public
$2,829 -$808 $43,892 N/A 63%
San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, CA · Public
$3,337 -$300 $48,224 N/A 60%
Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA · Public Better Value
$2,090 -$1,547 $49,156 N/A 58%
United Technical Center
Clarksburg, WV · Public Better Value
$3,461 -$176 $49,130 N/A 58%
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA · Public Better Value
$-2,296 -$5,933 $49,044 43.5% 58%
Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA · Public
$-1,128 -$4,765 $41,393 N/A 58%
College of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA · Public Better Value
$536 -$3,101 $54,172 N/A 56%
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA · Public Better Value
$1,738 -$1,899 $55,702 42.8% 54%
Mineral County Vocational Technical Center
Keyser, WV · Public
$2,914 -$723 $46,022 N/A 53%
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY · Public Better Value
$3,033 -$604 $75,971 72.1% 52%
Ralph R Willis Career and Technical Center
Stollings, WV · Public Better Value
$-767 -$4,404 $51,465 N/A 52%

How We Match Schools

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

Only schools with a lower average net price than Texas A & M International University 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 Texas A & M International University?
We found 15 schools similar to Texas A & M International University that cost less. The closest match is West Valley College with 69% similarity and a net price of $3,423.
What is the ROI of attending Texas A & M International University?
Texas A & M International University has an average net price of $3,637. Graduates earn a median of $48,386 ten years after enrollment. The earnings-to-cost ratio is 13.3x.
Are there schools with better outcomes than Texas A & M International University for less money?
Yes — 10 of 15 alternatives offer comparable or higher median earnings at a lower net price. West Valley College costs $3,423 (saving $214) with median earnings of $51,688.
What is the cheapest alternative to Texas A & M International University?
The most affordable similar school is Moorpark College at $-2,296, saving $5,933 compared to Texas A & M International University. It has a 58% similarity score.
How do alternative schools' earnings compare?
The 15 alternatives have an average median earnings of $50,897 compared to Texas A & M International University's $48,386. 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.