Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals College Scorecard official source

Affordable Alternatives to Western Texas College

Open-data reference.

We found 15 schools structurally similar to Western Texas College that cost less. 5 offer comparable or better earnings outcomes.

Your School

Western Texas College

Snyder, Texas · Public

$3,562
Net Price
$42,508
Median Earnings (10yr)
N/A
Acceptance Rate
56.3%
150%-Time Completion

What the IPEDS & College Scorecard Data Shows for Alternatives to Western Texas College

Western Texas College posts an average net price of $3,562 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 Western Texas College across six dimensions – ownership sector, Carnegie classification, undergraduate enrollment, admission rate, former-student earnings, and completion rate. 15 institutions cleared a 40-percent similarity threshold.

The maximum possible savings across this list is $3,530, achieved by Canada College at $32. Of greater interest to ROI-focused applicants: 5 of the 15 alternatives also report median 10-year earnings at or above Western Texas College’s $42,508, meaning lower cost is not paired with lower earnings. The mean median-earnings figure across alternatives is $41,900.

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

15
Alternatives Found
$3,530
Max Savings
5
Better Value Options
69%
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. Texas Southmost College $42k 2. Eastern New Mexico Universit $39k 3. Pima Community College $40k 4. Washtenaw Community College $39k 5. Taft College $39k Compared to Western Texas College: $43k.

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
Texas Southmost College
Brownsville, TX · Public
$3,085 -$477 $41,900 28.2% 69%
Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Branch Community College
Ruidoso, NM · Public
$2,042 -$1,520 $38,550 21.6% 64%
Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ · Public
$3,405 -$157 $39,810 24.6% 63%
Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI · Public
$3,249 -$313 $39,449 31.5% 62%
Taft College
Taft, CA · Public
$2,823 -$739 $38,861 28.0% 60%
San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, CA · Public Better Value
$3,337 -$225 $48,224 48.3% 57%
Hacienda La Puente Adult Education
La Puente, CA · Public
$3,536 -$26 $39,271 82.7% 55%
Wood County Technical Center-Practical Nursing
Parkersburg, WV · Public
$2,248 -$1,314 $40,547 N/A 54%
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL · Public
$2,254 -$1,308 $38,877 55.9% 54%
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL · Public Better Value
$1,471 -$2,091 $42,557 37.9% 53%
Victoria College
Victoria, TX · Public
$3,043 -$519 $42,382 26.7% 53%
Modesto Junior College
Modesto, CA · Public
$2,818 -$744 $42,368 27.8% 53%
Canada College
Redwood City, CA · Public Better Value
$32 -$3,530 $50,087 48.0% 52%
Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL · Public Better Value
$1,672 -$1,890 $42,889 20.7% 52%
Schoolcraft Community College District
Livonia, MI · Public Better Value
$2,260 -$1,302 $42,722 16.7% 52%

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 Western Texas 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 Western Texas College?
We found 15 schools similar to Western Texas College that cost less. The closest match is Texas Southmost College with 69% similarity and a net price of $3,085.
What is the ROI of attending Western Texas College?
Western Texas College has an average net price of $3,562. Former students earn a median of $42,508 ten years after enrollment. The earnings-to-cost ratio is 11.9x.
Are there schools with better outcomes than Western Texas College for less money?
Yes - 5 of 15 alternatives offer comparable or higher median earnings at a lower net price. San Diego Miramar College costs $3,337 (saving $225) with median earnings of $48,224.
What is the cheapest alternative to Western Texas College?
The most affordable similar school is Canada College at $32, saving $3,530 compared to Western Texas College. It has a 52% similarity score.
How do alternative schools' earnings compare?
The 15 alternatives have an average median earnings of $41,900 compared to Western Texas College's $42,508. While alternatives cost less, their average earnings are also lower. 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.