COM vs. TSTC

Comparable Facts

Compare College of the Mainland in Texas City, TX with Texas State Technical College in Waco, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas State Technical College is larger than COM based on total student enrollment (12,077 students vs. 5,127 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of the Mainland is located in Texas City, TX (Small Suburban setting); Texas State Technical College is in Waco, TX (Midsize City setting).
• College of the Mainland is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Texas State Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of the Mainland 18:1; Texas State Technical College 14:1.

COM vs. TSTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, COM or TSTC? 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 College of the Mainland than TSTC ($3,252 vs. $10,421).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of the Mainland are 24.4% lower than at Texas State Technical College ($6,236 vs. $8,244).
• Texas State Technical College is 109% more expensive for in-state tuition than COM (about $3,762 more per year; $7,212.00 vs. $3,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 185.3% higher at TSTC than at College of the Mainland (about $7,672 more per year; $11,812.00 vs. $4,140.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas State Technical College than at College of the Mainland (82% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas State Technical College students is 97% larger than aid received by College of the Mainland students ($10,224 vs. $5,191).

COM vs. TSTC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, COM or TSTC? 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 TSTC and COM.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: COM - Open admission; TSTC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: TSTC Aug 27, 2027.

COM vs. TSTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for COM and TSTC? 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of the Mainland graduates have a $2,276 lower median loan debt than TSTC graduates ($7,224 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, COM graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TSTC graduates ($74 vs. $98).
• More TSTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former COM students, three years after graduation. (31% vs. 31%)

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.