San Antonio, Texas Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
Colleges in San Antonio, Texas: median public in-state tuition $11,707 (+112.4% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $56,844 (+4.5% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 90.7% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $9,500 (-28.4% vs U.S.) 111,767 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 44 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 111,767 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $11,707 (+112.4% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $56,844 (+4.5% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 90.7% (+2.8 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $20,465 (+105.3% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $9,500 (-28.4% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $11,004
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 50.5%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 73.0%
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Overview
Colleges and universities in San Antonio serve students across Texas with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 44 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 111,767 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $11,707. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against San Antonio, Texas and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
San Antonio vs Texas & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio, Texas | $11,707 | $20,465 | $9,500 | 50.5% | 111,767 |
| Texas (state median) | $3,555 | $8,031 | $10,652 | 45.0% | 1,240,605 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: San Antonio, Texas vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio, Texas | $56,844 | 90.7% | 73.0% | 6.9% | — | 63.3% | 0.40 |
| Texas (state median) | $54,338 | 89.8% | 69.6% | 6.9% | — | 69.4% | 0.40 |
| United States | $54,384 | 88.0% | 76.4% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Texas (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio, Texas | $11,707 | $20,465 | $9,500 | 50.5% | 111,767 | $56,844 | 90.7% |
| Houston | $12,445 | $19,626 | $11,533 | 46.7% | 137,452 | $59,224 | 87.5% |
| Austin | $23,500 | $21,991 | $9,120 | 44.6% | 82,274 | $59,854 | 89.8% |
| Dallas | $17,692 | $22,774 | $12,785 | 50.0% | 62,146 | $42,797 | 87.6% |
| Dallas | $17,692 | $22,774 | $12,785 | 50.0% | 62,146 | $42,797 | 87.6% |
| Dallas | $17,692 | $22,774 | $12,785 | 50.0% | 62,146 | $42,797 | 87.6% |
| Fort Worth | $11,934 | $24,181 | $15,500 | 31.5% | 57,100 | $61,238 | 90.7% |
| El Paso | $9,744 | $16,242 | $11,000 | 65.5% | 50,598 | $50,923 | 89.2% |
| The Woodlands | $5,525 | $11,566 | $8,600 | 60.6% | 45,417 | N/A | N/A |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 | $54,384 | 88.0% |
Outcomes by sector in San Antonio, Texas
Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).
| Sector | Campuses | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working share (8 yr) | Retention | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private nonprofit | 5 | $56,733 | 90.7% | 73.0% | 6.9% | — | 58.4% |
| Public | 3 | $57,131 | 91.4% | 72.8% | 5.4% | — | 76.3% |
Top 7 colleges in San Antonio, Texas by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
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Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 84.0%, Trinity University
Trinity University
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Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 66.3%, Hallmark University
Hallmark University
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Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 58.9%, St. Mary's University
St. Mary's University
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Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 52.6%, The University of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at San Antonio
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Rank 5, Graduation Rate, 51.0%, University of the Incarnate Word
University of the Incarnate Word
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Rank 6, Graduation Rate, 46.1%, Our Lady of the Lake University
Our Lady of the Lake University
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Rank 7, Graduation Rate, 40.2%, Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Top 7 colleges in San Antonio, Texas by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 92.5%, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 92.3%, Our Lady of the Lake University
Our Lady of the Lake University
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Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 91.2%, Trinity University
Trinity University
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Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 90.7%, St. Mary's University
St. Mary's University
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Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 90.2%, The University of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at San Antonio
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Rank 6, Employment Outcome, 89.4%, University of the Incarnate Word
University of the Incarnate Word
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Rank 7, Employment Outcome, 83.5%, Hallmark University
Hallmark University
Top 6 most selective colleges in San Antonio, Texas (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
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Rank 1, Admission Rate, 25.9%, Trinity University
Trinity University
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Rank 2, Admission Rate, 51.3%, Hallmark University
Hallmark University
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Rank 3, Admission Rate, 86.8%, The University of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at San Antonio
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Rank 4, Admission Rate, 92.8%, Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
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Rank 5, Admission Rate, 97.8%, St. Mary's University
St. Mary's University
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Rank 6, Admission Rate, 98.1%, University of the Incarnate Word
University of the Incarnate Word
Top 8 colleges in San Antonio, Texas by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
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Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $87,264, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
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Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $82,426, Hallmark University
Hallmark University
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Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $77,311, Trinity University
Trinity University
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Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $73,639, The University of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at San Antonio
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Rank 5, Entry-Level Earnings, $64,720, University of the Incarnate Word
University of the Incarnate Word
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Rank 6, Entry-Level Earnings, $50,867, Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
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Rank 7, Entry-Level Earnings, $48,018, St. Mary's University
St. Mary's University
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Rank 8, Entry-Level Earnings, $42,247, Our Lady of the Lake University
Our Lady of the Lake University
Top 8 colleges in San Antonio, Texas by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
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Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $106,358, The University of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at San Antonio
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Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $98,708, Trinity University
Trinity University
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Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $86,929, Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
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Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $84,286, University of the Incarnate Word
University of the Incarnate Word
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Rank 5, Early-Career Earnings, $83,317, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
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Rank 6, Early-Career Earnings, $82,753, St. Mary's University
St. Mary's University
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Rank 7, Early-Career Earnings, $67,919, Our Lady of the Lake University
Our Lady of the Lake University
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Rank 8, Early-Career Earnings, $58,501, Hallmark University
Hallmark University
Top 8 colleges in San Antonio, Texas by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $73,887, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
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Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $55,224, Trinity University
Trinity University
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Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $47,625, University of the Incarnate Word
University of the Incarnate Word
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Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $46,666, Hallmark University
Hallmark University
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Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $46,340, The University of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at San Antonio
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Rank 6, Mid-Career Earnings, $44,130, St. Mary's University
St. Mary's University
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Rank 7, Mid-Career Earnings, $43,479, Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
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Rank 8, Mid-Career Earnings, $41,195, Our Lady of the Lake University
Our Lady of the Lake University
Top 7 colleges in San Antonio, Texas by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $76,703, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $66,445, Trinity University
Trinity University
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Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $52,962, University of the Incarnate Word
University of the Incarnate Word
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Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $52,616, The University of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at San Antonio
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Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $49,928, St. Mary's University
St. Mary's University
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Rank 6, 8-Yr Earnings, $45,657, Our Lady of the Lake University
Our Lady of the Lake University
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Rank 7, 8-Yr Earnings, $44,630, Hallmark University
Hallmark University
Top 8 colleges in San Antonio, Texas by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $82,206, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $71,668, Trinity University
Trinity University
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Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $57,131, The University of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at San Antonio
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Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $56,955, St. Mary's University
St. Mary's University
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Rank 5, 10-Yr Earnings, $56,733, University of the Incarnate Word
University of the Incarnate Word
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Rank 6, 10-Yr Earnings, $54,338, Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
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Rank 7, 10-Yr Earnings, $48,675, Our Lady of the Lake University
Our Lady of the Lake University
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Rank 8, 10-Yr Earnings, $40,183, Hallmark University
Hallmark University
Top 7 colleges in San Antonio, Texas by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $206,258, The University of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at San Antonio
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $205,908, Trinity University
Trinity University
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $204,851, Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
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Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $156,968, Hallmark University
Hallmark University
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Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $148,586, University of the Incarnate Word
University of the Incarnate Word
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Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $145,758, St. Mary's University
St. Mary's University
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Rank 7, 10-Yr ROI, $143,909, Our Lady of the Lake University
Our Lady of the Lake University
Top 7 most affordable colleges in San Antonio, Texas (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $10,836, The University of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at San Antonio
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Rank 2, Net Price, $12,513, Hallmark University
Hallmark University
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Rank 3, Net Price, $11,196, Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
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Rank 4, Net Price, $16,442, Our Lady of the Lake University
Our Lady of the Lake University
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Rank 5, Net Price, $21,145, St. Mary's University
St. Mary's University
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Rank 6, Net Price, $22,775, University of the Incarnate Word
University of the Incarnate Word
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Rank 7, Net Price, $23,464, Trinity University
Trinity University
Top 7 colleges in San Antonio, Texas by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 92.9%, Trinity University
Trinity University
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Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 79.8%, The University of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at San Antonio
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Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 74.1%, Hallmark University
Hallmark University
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Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 73.0%, St. Mary's University
St. Mary's University
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Rank 5, First-Year Retention, 71.3%, University of the Incarnate Word
University of the Incarnate Word
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Rank 6, First-Year Retention, 65.7%, Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
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Rank 7, First-Year Retention, 62.8%, Our Lady of the Lake University
Our Lady of the Lake University
In-state tuition: San Antonio, Texas vs benchmarks
Sticker price
San Antonio, Texas median in-state tuition is $11,707, +112.4% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: San Antonio, Texas vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in San Antonio, Texas is $9,500 (-28.4% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $11,004.
Median earnings (10 years out): San Antonio, Texas vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in San Antonio, Texas center around $56,844 (+4.5% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: San Antonio, Texas vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 90.7% at the median San Antonio, Texas campus (+2.8 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
San Antonio, Texas median public in-state tuition is $11,707, about +112.4% vs the national median. Versus the Southwest region, tuition is +217.6%.
Median graduate debt is $9,500 (-28.4% below the U.S. median of $13,271). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in San Antonio, Texas are $56,844, about +4.5% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,384).
The median campus reports 90.7% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 88.0% (+2.8 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 73.0% vs a U.S. median of 76.4%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 6.9% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 63.3% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (92.5%), Our Lady of the Lake University (92.3%), Trinity University (91.2%), St. Mary's University (90.7%), The University of Texas at San Antonio (90.2%), University of the Incarnate Word (89.4%), Hallmark University (83.5%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within San Antonio, Texas, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $56,733 (5 campuses); Public median 10-yr earnings $57,131 (3 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in San Antonio, Texas is 50.5% (national institution average about 50.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colleges are in San Antonio?
This city profile covers 44 campuses in San Antonio, Texas with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in San Antonio?
Median in-state tuition in San Antonio is $11,707 and median net price is $20,465. For Texas overall, medians are $3,555 and $8,031; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,969.
What do graduates earn in San Antonio?
Median 10-year earnings for campuses in San Antonio is $56,844 vs $54,338 for Texas and $54,384 nationally.
What is student debt like for San Antonio colleges?
Median completer debt in San Antonio is $9,500 vs $10,652 for Texas and $13,271 nationally.
What are the best colleges in San Antonio?
Top campuses on this page include Trinity University (graduation) and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in San Antonio?
Among 44 campuses in San Antonio, Texas, 1 historically Black college or university (HBCU, IPEDS HBCU flag), including St Philip's College; 38 campuses with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard demographics—a common Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) eligibility proxy; examples include Baptist Health System School of Health Professions, Hallmark University, and University of the Incarnate Word; 7 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Roman Catholic (4), Presbyterian Church (USA) (1), Baptist (1).
Sources & related
- Texas college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON