South Plains College vs. Texas Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare South Plains College in Levelland, TX with Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas Tech University is larger than South Plains College based on total student enrollment (40,757 students vs. 9,098 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• South Plains College is located in Levelland, TX (Distant Town setting); Texas Tech University is in Lubbock, TX (Midsize City setting).
• South Plains College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Texas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: South Plains College 16:1; Texas Tech University 20:1.

South Plains College vs. Texas Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, South Plains College or Texas Tech? 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 South Plains College than Texas Tech ($6,494 vs. $16,919).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Plains College are 49% lower than at Texas Tech University ($5,481 vs. $10,742).
• Texas Tech University is 148.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Plains College (about $7,081 more per year; $11,852.00 vs. $4,771.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 374.3% higher at Texas Tech than at South Plains College (about $19,296 more per year; $24,451.00 vs. $5,155.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Tech University than at South Plains College (79% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Tech University students is 47.5% larger than aid received by South Plains College students ($10,494 vs. $7,114).

South Plains College vs. Texas Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, South Plains College or Texas Tech? 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 Texas Tech and South Plains College.

• South Plains College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTexas Tech University 1090/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTexas Tech University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: South Plains College - Open admission; Texas Tech - Test optional.

South Plains College vs. Texas Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for South Plains College and Texas Tech? 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 Texas Tech University earn a median of about $19,200 more per year than South Plains College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,500 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, South Plains College graduates have a $12,000 lower median loan debt than Texas Tech graduates ($10,500 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, South Plains College graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Texas Tech graduates ($108 vs. $232).
• More Texas Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Plains College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 40%)

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.