Head-to-head · 2026
College of the Mainland vs Texas Southmost College
Compare average net price ($1,342 at College of the Mainland; $3,085 at Texas Southmost College), ROI score (73.84 vs 33.95), ten-year median earnings ($39,639 vs $41,900), and admissions context (Open / not reported at College of the Mainland; Open / not reported at Texas Southmost College) using federal College Scorecard data. College of the Mainland has a 4-1 metric-level edge. College of the Mainland leads on ROI, but the cost and earnings signals are split enough that this is not a one-metric decision.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
9 metrics, side by side. A colored cell marks a metric-level advantage. Green = lower-is-better, violet = higher-is-better.
| Metric | College of the Mainland | Texas Southmost College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 73.84 ✓ | 33.95 |
| Avg net price | $1,342 ✓ | $3,085 |
| Median earnings (10y) | $39,639 | $41,900 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 31.2% ✓ | 29.8% |
| Median debt | $5,960 ✓ | $9,000 |
| Enrollment | 3,368 | 3,372 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 4 | 1 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Texas Southmost College costs $1,743 more per year than College of the Mainland ($3,085 vs $1,342). Texas Southmost College graduates report $2,261 higher median earnings after ten years ($41,900 vs $39,639). On EduGradify's model that puts College of the Mainland ahead on projected ROI (73.84 vs 33.95, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (College of the Mainland) also posts the better return, making it the lower-risk pick on cost alone. On admissions, neither school reports a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data, so this matchup should lean on price, outcomes and fit instead.
Frequently asked
College of the Mainland vs Texas Southmost College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is College of the Mainland or Texas Southmost College the better value?
College of the Mainland has the higher EduGradify ROI score (73.84 vs 33.95), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
College of the Mainland is cheaper — average net price $1,342 per year vs $3,085 at Texas Southmost College. The annual difference of $1,743 adds up to about $6,972 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Texas Southmost College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $41,900 vs $39,639 at College of the Mainland. The annual gap in the federal data is $2,261.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. College of the Mainland reports a A+ value grade; Texas Southmost College reports A+.