10-YEAR PAYOFF CURVECumulative economic payoff after graduation
−$97,250at year 10Net gainInvestment not yet recovered
NET GAIN$0UNRECOVERED
Austin Community College District
⌖ Austin, TX · 63 reportable field-and-credential outcomes
10-year estimate · Negative payoff
−$97,250 over 10 years
Modeled from observed year-5 institution earnings and the institution-wide average net price over four years.
With these assumptions, the added earnings do not recover the cost within ten years.
19.0 yrsModeled economic break-even
−47%Modeled 10-year ROI
$55,831Observed earnings · year 5
Not reachedMaximum annual price for positive 10-year payoff
What the numbers say about Austin Community College District
What does Austin Community College District cost?
Austin Community College District reports an average annual net price of $6,390 after grants and scholarships. This is an institution-wide average, not an individual aid offer.
What do Austin Community College District graduates earn?
The observed median earnings figure is $55,831 5 years after completion. It describes a federal cohort, not a guaranteed starting salary.
How much federal debt do Austin Community College District graduates have?
Completer borrowers report median cumulative federal student debt of $10,499. Parent PLUS and private loans are not included.
Is every degree at Austin Community College District worth the same?
No. DegreeVerdict currently shows 63 field-and-credential outcomes at Austin Community College District; reported earnings and debt can differ substantially by program category.
ECONOMIC INVESTMENT → PAYBACK
Estimated payoff over ten years.
The scenario counts direct price and earnings forgone upfront, then applies the reported annual earnings premium.
FEDERAL COST DATA
Four ways to read college price.
Annual college-wide figures from the current College Scorecard release. Average net price covers full-time, first-time undergraduates receiving federal aid; public-college figures use in-state students. Program tuition and individual aid offers may differ.
PRICE SENSITIVITY
The price can change the verdict.
Hold observed earnings constant and see how the modeled ten-year payoff changes as annual price rises.
← Negative payoff$0Positive payoff →
$0Annual price−$71,690
$6,000Current college-wide context−$95,690
$8,000Annual price−$103,690
$16,000Annual price−$135,690
$24,000Annual price−$167,690
$32,000Annual price−$199,690
$40,000Annual price−$231,690
COLLEGE AT A GLANCE
Institution details
Current federal characteristics describing the college, not the outcomes of a specific program.
- Accreditor
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Main award level
- Associate degrees
- Campus setting
- City
- Admissions
- Open admission
- Delivery
- Campus or mixed delivery
- Federal designation
- No special designation reported
Cost, debt, completion and earnings context
$6,390Average net price / year
$15,190Cost of attendance
$10,499Median federal student debt · completer borrowers
$111/moPublished 10-year payment estimate
$55,831Median earnings · year 5 after completion
20.2%Completion rate
Not availableAdmission rate
30,189Student size
Institution debt covers federal student-loan borrowers who completed. Parent PLUS and private loans are excluded; missing and privacy-suppressed values remain unavailable.
WHO PAYS, WHO FINISHES, WHO EARNS
Outcomes are not the same for every family.
These federal cohorts add context that a single college average can hide. Missing figures remain unreported rather than estimated.
Complete within 150% of the expected time
23% received a Pell Grant within eight yearsMedian Parent PLUS debt
183 parent borrowers in the reported cohortMedian federal student debt
40% making progress in repayment after three yearsStudent family incomeMedian earnings after 10 yearsObserved federal cohorts
Lower income$40,214Earnings are not a guarantee
Middle income$48,543Earnings are not a guarantee
Higher income$50,470Earnings are not a guarantee
Three-year repayment progress
Lower income36%
Middle income50%
Higher income57%
Source: College Scorecard, June 2026 release. Parent PLUS debt belongs to parents; student-debt measures exclude Parent PLUS and private loans. Cohort definitions differ by measure.
INDEPENDENT CENSUS EARNINGS VIEW
How earnings develop by field
Privacy-protected Census employment records follow graduate cohorts one, five and ten years after completion. This source is kept separate from College Scorecard because its population and methodology differ.
Field and credentialYear 1Year 5Year 10
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection.Associate degree · Broad federal field 46
$54,306Year 1
$75,634Year 5
$102,841Year 10
Computer Programming.Certificate, less than 1 year · Broad federal field 11
$47,236Year 1
$64,834Year 5
$99,192Year 10
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering.Associate degree · Broad federal field 14
$42,371Year 1
$82,210Year 5
$97,992Year 10
Computer Programming.Associate degree · Broad federal field 11
$48,579Year 1
$75,525Year 5
$86,672Year 10
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences.Associate degree · Broad federal field 51
$60,762Year 1
$74,400Year 5
$86,425Year 10
Criminal Justice and Corrections.Certificate, less than 1 year · Broad federal field 43
$55,418Year 1
$70,732Year 5
$81,917Year 10
Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians.Associate degree · Broad federal field 15
$50,554Year 1
$65,815Year 5
$79,671Year 10
Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians.Certificate, less than 1 year · Broad federal field 15
$48,541Year 1
$63,910Year 5
$72,414Year 10
Median annual earnings in 2023 dollars. Each time point may use a different pooled graduation cohort. Coverage is limited to institutions participating in the Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes program.
NATIONAL CONTEXT
How this college compares
Percentiles compare this institution with currently operating colleges that report the same federal measure.
WHAT STANDS OUT
A faster read on this college
These summaries use only reportable field-and-credential records at this institution. They do not fill privacy-suppressed outcomes.
EARNINGS PATH
Reported earnings over time
$44,315Year 1
$57,624Year 4
$55,831Year 5
Separate federal cohorts may underlie different measurement years.
The college average is not the whole story.
Observed earnings vary substantially by field and credential at the same institution.
1Accounting and Related Services · Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma$90,2702Engineering, General · Associate's Degree$88,3663Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians · Associate's Degree$88,3654Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing · Associate's Degree$83,9895Computer and Information Sciences, General · Associate's Degree$77,2486Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions · Associate's Degree$75,0347Mathematics · Associate's Degree$74,8918Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions · Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma$72,051Observed year-4 earnings · compare like fields and credentials before deciding
Programs that stand out against the same-degree benchmark
This view rewards performance relative to the same field and credential, not simply majors that pay more everywhere.
1Accounting and Related ServicesUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma · $90,270 reported+102%vs same-degree national median$21,898federal debt2Environmental Control Technologies/TechniciansUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma · $65,997 reported+46%vs same-degree national medianNot availablefederal debt3Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralAssociate's Degree · $77,248 reported+42%vs same-degree national median$13,000federal debt4Accounting and Related ServicesAssociate's Degree · $65,993 reported+38%vs same-degree national median$22,215federal debt5Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsAssociate's Degree · $51,880 reported+38%vs same-degree national median$17,785federal debt6Allied Health and Medical Assisting ServicesAssociate's Degree · $57,381 reported+36%vs same-degree national median$18,457federal debt
Comparable colleges in TX
Currently operating public institutions with the closest combination of annual net price and observed year-5 earnings. Similarity is descriptive, not a quality ranking.
Dallas, TX
University of North Texas at Dallas
- Annual net price
- $6,420
- Observed earnings · year 5
- $56,262
- Modeled 10-year ROI
- -45%
Lee College
- Annual net price
- $6,879
- Observed earnings · year 5
- $56,417
- Modeled 10-year ROI
- -45%
Victoria College
- Annual net price
- $3,043
- Observed earnings · year 5
- $55,798
- Modeled 10-year ROI
- -44%
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Annual net price
- $4,831
- Observed earnings · year 5
- $53,360
- Modeled 10-year ROI
- -58%
Explore exact field-and-credential outcomes
| Federal field | Credential | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 2023–24 awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $90,270 | $21,898 | 80 |
| Engineering, General | Associate's Degree | $88,366 | $15,375 | Not reported |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | Associate's Degree | $88,365 | Not available | Not reported |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Associate's Degree | $83,989 | $17,481 | Not reported |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | Associate's Degree | $77,248 | $13,000 | Not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate's Degree | $75,034 | $17,765 | Not reported |
| Mathematics | Associate's Degree | $74,891 | $15,125 | Not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $72,051 | $11,752 | 159 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate's Degree | $71,867 | Not available | Not reported |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $69,828 | $18,500 | 68 |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate's Degree | $69,185 | $14,122 | Not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $69,017 | $11,378 | 38 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | Associate's Degree | $68,934 | $12,000 | Not reported |
| Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | Associate's Degree | $67,712 | Not available | Not reported |
| Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $65,997 | Not available | 16 |
| Accounting and Related Services | Associate's Degree | $65,993 | $22,215 | Not reported |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | Associate's Degree | $65,475 | $14,000 | Not reported |
| Computer Programming | Associate's Degree | $64,773 | $19,872 | Not reported |
| Fire Protection | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $64,664 | $11,375 | 24 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate's Degree | $64,174 | $10,230 | Not reported |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $63,975 | $8,125 | 24 |
| Carpenters | Associate's Degree | $61,533 | $15,624 | Not reported |
| Chemistry | Associate's Degree | $60,787 | $12,412 | Not reported |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $59,907 | Not available | 2,263 |
| Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification) | $59,327 | Not available | Not reported |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | Associate's Degree | $58,802 | $15,000 | Not reported |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $58,775 | $10,500 | 41 |
| Business/Commerce, General | Associate's Degree | $58,664 | $12,500 | Not reported |
| Legal Support Services | Associate's Degree | $58,598 | $14,125 | Not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate's Degree | $57,381 | $18,457 | Not reported |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $56,520 | $15,729 | 81 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | Associate's Degree | $55,373 | $14,949 | Not reported |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification) | $55,088 | Not available | Not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $55,045 | $11,000 | 65 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification) | $54,763 | Not available | Not reported |
| Biology, General | Associate's Degree | $54,363 | $13,375 | Not reported |
| Computer Programming | Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification) | $52,638 | Not available | Not reported |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | Associate's Degree | $51,880 | $17,785 | Not reported |
| Journalism | Associate's Degree | $51,356 | $8,007 | Not reported |
| Social Work | Associate's Degree | $50,662 | $17,922 | Not reported |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | Associate's Degree | $50,539 | $13,967 | Not reported |
| History | Associate's Degree | $50,008 | $15,230 | Not reported |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | Associate's Degree | $49,333 | $14,125 | Not reported |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | Associate's Degree | $48,357 | $14,625 | Not reported |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | Associate's Degree | $47,134 | $14,375 | Not reported |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | Associate's Degree | $46,962 | $19,185 | Not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $46,613 | $15,818 | 36 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | Associate's Degree | $45,940 | $14,255 | Not reported |
| Graphic Communications | Associate's Degree | $44,152 | $11,626 | Not reported |
| Design and Applied Arts | Associate's Degree | $41,552 | $19,939 | Not reported |
| Psychology, General | Associate's Degree | $40,744 | $13,956 | Not reported |
| American Sign Language | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $40,131 | $8,999 | 13 |
| Political Science and Government | Associate's Degree | $37,495 | $8,333 | Not reported |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | Associate's Degree | $37,248 | $12,000 | Not reported |
| Fine and Studio Arts | Associate's Degree | $36,991 | $16,500 | Not reported |
| English Language and Literature, General | Associate's Degree | $26,316 | $9,596 | Not reported |
| Computer Programming | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Not available | $21,446 | 133 |
| Legal Support Services | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Not available | $24,359 | 33 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | Associate's Degree | Not available | $10,000 | Not reported |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Associate's Degree | Not available | $17,503 | Not reported |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | Associate's Degree | Not available | $15,513 | Not reported |
| Marketing | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Not available | $11,589 | 26 |
| Real Estate | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | Not available | $9,500 | 15 |
Awards use first-major IPEDS completions aggregated to the same four-digit field and credential.
Earnings, price, completion and enrollment are observed federal measures. ROI, payoff and break-even are modeled scenarios built from those measures and fixed assumptions. College payoff is not the payoff of every degree at this school; use the program table for a more precise comparison.