Best Community Colleges in Texas by Salary Potential
Thinking about going back to school, but not sure where to apply? Learn more about Texas’ best community colleges based on earning potential.
| Rank | School Name | School Sector | Early Career Pay | Mid-Career Pay | % High Meaning | % STEM Degrees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank:1 | School Name: Brazosport College | School Sector:Public | Early Career Pay:$46,600 | Mid-Career Pay:$78,000 | % High Meaning:52% | % STEM Degrees:1% |
| Rank:2 | School Name: San Jacinto Community College | School Sector:Public | Early Career Pay:$46,400 | Mid-Career Pay:$77,000 | % High Meaning:62% | % STEM Degrees:6% |
| Rank:3 | School Name:Lamar Institute of Technology | School Sector:Public | Early Career Pay:$50,800 | Mid-Career Pay:$73,200 | % High Meaning:64% | % STEM Degrees:2% |
| Rank:4 | School Name:Texas State Technical College | School Sector:Public | Early Career Pay:$46,100 | Mid-Career Pay:$72,700 | % High Meaning:56% | % STEM Degrees:10% |
| Rank:5 | School Name:_50px.png) Tarleton State University | School Sector:Public | Early Career Pay:$47,600 | Mid-Career Pay:$71,900 | % High Meaning:80% | % STEM Degrees:7% |
| Rank:6 | School Name:College of the Mainland | School Sector:Public | Early Career Pay:$47,600 | Mid-Career Pay:$70,600 | % High Meaning:62% | % STEM Degrees:1% |
| Rank:7 | School Name:Alvin Community College | School Sector:Public | Early Career Pay:$48,400 | Mid-Career Pay:$70,500 | % High Meaning:58% | % STEM Degrees:3% |
| Rank:8 | School Name:Odessa College | School Sector:Public | Early Career Pay:$48,400 | Mid-Career Pay:$70,100 | % High Meaning:69% | % STEM Degrees:5% |
| Rank:9 | School Name:Dallas College | School Sector:Public | Early Career Pay:$49,600 | Mid-Career Pay:$69,700 | % High Meaning:62% | % STEM Degrees:10% |
| Rank:10 | School Name:Galveston College | School Sector:Public | Early Career Pay:$48,900 | Mid-Career Pay:$69,400 | % High Meaning:72% | % STEM Degrees:2% |
| Rank:11 | School Name:North Central Texas College | School Sector:Public | Early Career Pay:$46,800 | Mid-Career Pay:$69,300 | % High Meaning:64% | % STEM Degrees:6% |
| Rank:12 | School Name:Wharton County Junior College | School Sector:Public | Early Career Pay:$48,300 | Mid-Career Pay:$69,100 | % High Meaning:61% | % STEM Degrees:3% |
| Rank:13 | School Name: Wayland Baptist University | School Sector:Private not-for-profit | Early Career Pay:$48,000 | Mid-Career Pay:$68,800 | % High Meaning:- | % STEM Degrees:1% |
| Rank:14 | School Name: LeTourneau University | School Sector:Private not-for-profit | Early Career Pay:$47,100 | Mid-Career Pay:$68,700 | % High Meaning:- | % STEM Degrees:22% |
| Rank:15 | School Name: Del Mar College | School Sector:Public | Early Career Pay:$47,100 | Mid-Career Pay:$68,600 | % High Meaning:71% | % STEM Degrees:2% |
| Rank:16 | School Name: Austin Community College District | School Sector:Public | Early Career Pay:$48,500 | Mid-Career Pay:$68,500 | % High Meaning:65% | % STEM Degrees:11% |
| Rank:17 | School Name: Amarillo College | School Sector:Public | Early Career Pay:$47,600 | Mid-Career Pay:$68,100 | % High Meaning:70% | % STEM Degrees:7% |
| Rank:18 | School Name: Lee College | School Sector:Public | Early Career Pay:$46,800 | Mid-Career Pay:$67,900 | % High Meaning:58% | % STEM Degrees:3% |
| Rank:19 | School Name:_50px.png) Houston Community College | School Sector:Public | Early Career Pay:$43,100 | Mid-Career Pay:$67,800 | % High Meaning:62% | % STEM Degrees:11% |
| Rank:20 | School Name: Midland College | School Sector:Public | Early Career Pay:$48,100 | Mid-Career Pay:$67,600 | % High Meaning:61% | % STEM Degrees:3% |
| Rank:21 | School Name:_50px.png) Grayson College | School Sector:Public | Early Career Pay:$45,600 | Mid-Career Pay:$67,400 | % High Meaning:66% | % STEM Degrees:8% |
| Rank:22 | School Name: Dallas Baptist University | School Sector:Private not-for-profit | Early Career Pay:$46,100 | Mid-Career Pay:$67,200 | % High Meaning:- | % STEM Degrees:10% |
| Rank:23 | School Name:Vernon College | School Sector:Public | Early Career Pay:$46,100 | Mid-Career Pay:$66,800 | % High Meaning:72% | % STEM Degrees:3% |
| Rank:24 | School Name: Lone Star College System | School Sector:Public | Early Career Pay:$45,100 | Mid-Career Pay:$66,600 | % High Meaning:56% | % STEM Degrees:3% |
| Rank:24 | School Name:Lamar State College-Port Arthur | School Sector:Public | Early Career Pay:$49,200 | Mid-Career Pay:$66,600 | % High Meaning:60% | % STEM Degrees:3% |
The best colleges in Texas for students looking for an associate degree are listed in Payscale’s College Salary Report; we have salary data for a number of two-year institutions in Texas. The list presents a mix of both public schools and private for-profit schools. The report aims to examine the best value for early and mid career salaries, as recorded by alumni. This should provide some direction for students who are sifting through the broad list of associate degree programs in Texas, and want to find a place that not only meets their academic needs, but their long-term financial goals as well. Keep in mind, our report also measures career satisfaction and other important metrics like school size, student to teach ratio, and more!
Best Community Colleges in Texas for a Big Paycheck
Considering the best community colleges in Texas, those who look toward their long-term career earnings will find Alvin Community College near the top of their list.