Howard College vs. TSTC

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard College in Big Spring, 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 Howard College based on total student enrollment (12,077 students vs. 4,101 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard College is located in Big Spring, TX (Remote Town setting); Texas State Technical College is in Waco, TX (Midsize City setting).
• Howard College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Texas State Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard College 25:1; Texas State Technical College 14:1.

Howard College vs. TSTC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard College 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 Howard College than TSTC ($6,491 vs. $10,421).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Howard College are 26.4% lower than at Texas State Technical College ($6,064 vs. $8,244).
• Texas State Technical College is 37% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard College (about $1,946 more per year; $7,212.00 vs. $5,266.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.9% higher at TSTC than at Howard College (about $5,096 more per year; $11,812.00 vs. $6,716.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas State Technical College than at Howard College (82% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas State Technical College students is 36.4% larger than aid received by Howard College students ($10,224 vs. $7,494).

Howard College vs. TSTC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard College 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 Howard College.

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

Howard College vs. TSTC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard College 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, Howard College graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than TSTC graduates ($6,750 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, Howard College graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TSTC graduates ($69 vs. $98).
• More Howard College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TSTC students, three years after graduation. (41% 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.