Central Texas College vs. Palo Alto College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Texas College in Killeen, TX with Palo Alto College in San Antonio, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Palo Alto College is larger than Central Texas College based on total student enrollment (12,395 students vs. 8,373 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Texas College is located in Killeen, TX (Rural Fringe setting); Palo Alto College is in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting).
• Central Texas College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Palo Alto College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Texas College 17:1; Palo Alto College 31:1.

Central Texas College vs. Palo Alto College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Texas College or Palo Alto College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Palo Alto College than Central Texas College ($4,805 vs. $9,817).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Texas College are 49.5% lower than at Palo Alto College ($7,200 vs. $14,250).
• Palo Alto College is 13.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central Texas College (about $652 more per year; $5,542.00 vs. $4,890.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.7% higher at Palo Alto College than at Central Texas College (about $2,452 more per year; $9,952.00 vs. $7,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palo Alto College than at Central Texas College (92% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Palo Alto College students is 35.3% larger than aid received by Central Texas College students ($6,983 vs. $5,161).

Central Texas College vs. Palo Alto College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Texas College or Palo Alto College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Palo Alto College and Central Texas College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central Texas College - Open admission; Palo Alto College - Open admission.

Central Texas College vs. Palo Alto College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Texas College and Palo Alto College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Central Texas College earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Palo Alto College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,100 vs. $31,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Palo Alto College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Central Texas College graduates ($5,500 vs. $6,500).
• Among borrowers, Palo Alto College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central Texas College graduates ($56 vs. $67).
• More Palo Alto College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Texas College students, three years after graduation. (38% vs. 30%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.