10-YEAR PAYOFF CURVECumulative economic payoff after graduation
−$97,250at year 10Net gainInvestment not yet recovered
NET GAIN$0UNRECOVERED
Public · COLLEGE PAYOFF
Austin Community College District
Austin, TX · 63 field-and-degree records
Earnings reported for 56 · Federal debt reported for 54
Based onObserved earnings + college priceEstimate10-year payoff
Estimated 10-year payoff
Negative payoff
−$97,250 over 10 years
Modeled from observed year-5 institution earnings and the institution-wide average net price over four years.
19.0 yrsTime to earn back the modeled cost
−47%Estimated return after 10 years
$55,831Observed earnings · year 5
Not reachedHighest annual price before payoff reaches $0
Start with your question
What do you want to understand?
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.
PUBLISHED STUDENT BUDGET · 2024–25
What makes up the annual price?
Sticker-price components reported to IPEDS. Grants and scholarships are not subtracted here.
Living off campus: $18,240 housing and food allowance plus $5,408 in other expenses.
Do not confuse this with net price. Net price subtracts average grants and scholarships. DegreeVerdict continues to use the separately labeled average net price in its standard college ROI scenario.
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
HOW STUDENTS ATTEND · 2023-24
Online study is a meaningful part of the student experience.
IPEDS enrollment counts show course delivery across the whole institution. They do not indicate whether a specific degree can be completed online.
Institution-level attendance context from IPEDS. Program delivery is reported separately on degree pages and in the program directory. These figures do not enter ROI.
College identity and local contextAccreditation, institution type, dual enrollment and state prices
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
DUAL-ENROLLMENT CONTEXT · 2024
12,408 high-school students took college courses.
IPEDS counts students enrolled in college credit while still in high school. A large dual-enrollment population can shape headline enrollment figures, especially at community colleges.
This is participation, not a college completion rate. It does not indicate how many students later enrolled after high school, earned a credential or entered the workforce.
STATE PRICE CONTEXT · 2024
Prices in Texas run 3% below the U.S. level.
BEA Regional Price Parities compare price levels across states. A value of 100 equals the national average.
What it costs and what graduates earn
$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
Debt covers federal student-loan borrowers who completed. It does not include Parent PLUS or private loans. We show admissions scores only when a valid federal value is available.
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. The current release contains 63 field-and-degree records for Austin Community College District; 56 report year-4 earnings and 54 report federal debt. Outcomes can differ substantially by field and degree level.
DEBT AFTER COLLEGE
Are borrowers making progress?
Repayment progress, default and debt at exit describe different federal borrower cohorts. They are shown separately and do not change the ROI estimate.
Source: College Scorecard. Repayment progress is the share of borrowers who reduced principal by at least $1 at the stated measurement point. Debt covers federal student loans; Parent PLUS and private loans are excluded. Cohorts and reporting periods differ across measures.
Who studied here during the year
63,513Students enrolled at any point
63,513Undergraduate students
Not availableGraduate students
Unduplicated students enrolled at any point from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. This full-year measure is different from a fall headcount and does not enter ROI.
More student and earnings detailPrice by family income, retention, equity and common industries
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%
Undergraduate student composition
White34%
Black10%
Hispanic44%
Asian6%
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 every reportable field-and-credential record at this institution. They do not fill privacy-suppressed outcomes.
EARNINGS OVER TIME
What graduates earned in later years
$44,315Year 1
$57,624Year 4
$55,831Year 5
Each year can represent a different federal cohort, so the points do not track the same people over time.
Your choice of degree can change the payoff.
Graduate earnings differ by field and credential, even within the same college.
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 the same field and credential across colleges
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%
Compare fields and degree levels
Showing the 40 highest-earning records from 63 field-and-degree records. Use the program directory to search the complete set.
| Major or field | Degree level | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 2024–25 graduates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $90,270 | $21,898 | 84 |
| 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 | 157 |
| 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 | 73 |
| 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 | 56 |
| 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 | 28 |
| 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 | 20 |
| 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 | 32 |
| 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 | 2,074 |
| 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 | 43 |
| 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 | 93 |
| 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 | 115 |
| 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 |
Graduate counts come from IPEDS and group related majors into the same federal field. Missing earnings or debt values remain labeled as unavailable.
Search every Austin Community College District program record →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.