San Jac vs College of the Mainland

San Jacinto Community College and College of the Mainland, both esteemed institutions in Texas, offer diverse educational opportunities to students seeking higher education. While they share a commitment to academic excellence, they also possess distinct characteristics that cater to different student needs. San Jacinto boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a broader range of students, while College of the Mainland maintains a smaller student body, fostering a more intimate learning environment. Their popular majors reflect their unique strengths, with San Jacinto excelling in fields like Business, Health Professions, and Engineering, and College of the Mainland specializing in programs such as Process Technology, Construction, and Public Safety. Explore the comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details about these institutions, including student demographics, graduation rates, and additional factors that will help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	College of the Mainland	San Jacinto Community College
Overview
Location	Texas City, Texas	Pasadena, Texas
Campus setting	Suburb: Midsize	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate	Undergraduate
Students retention rate
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	Open Admission	Open Admission
Application fees
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants
Total number of admissions given out
Admitted students who chose to enroll
Yield rate
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	Not required	Not required
High school GPA	N/A	N/A
Recommendation letters	N/A	N/A
High school transcript	N/A	N/A
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	N/A	N/A

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $13,211 Out of state: $14,111	In state: $18,258 Out of state: $20,058
Average net price	$3,685	$10,391
Tuition	In state: $2,550 Out of state: $3,450	In state: $3,240 Out of state: $5,040
Room & board
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	60.0% Average amount $5,227	54.0% Average amount $5,308
Students receiving federal student loan	5.0% Average amount $3,137	2.0% Average amount $3,171
Students taking out private loans	0.0% Average amount $0	0.0% Average amount $7,500

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	4,133 Men 38.1% Women 61.9%	31,577 Men 40.1% Women 59.9%
Graduate students	N/A	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	0.3%	0.7%
International students	0.2%	0.5%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Midsize	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	N/A	N/A
First year students are required to live on campus?	N/A	N/A
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Texas California Florida	Texas California Florida Louisiana Puerto Rico

Academics
Popular study areas	Liberal Arts Health Professions Law Enforcement and Firefighting Science Technologies Business	Liberal Arts Health Professions Business Multidisciplinary Studies Engineering Technologies
Students to faculty ratio	14:1	23:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	28.0%	31.8%
Dropout rate	27.5%	34.6%
Transferred out	16.0%	14.8%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Physical Science Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $52,999 Year 2: $66,171 Year 3: $95,837 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $65,509 Year 2: $72,369 Year 3: $72,740 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $20,300 Year 2: $25,967 Year 3: $27,905 Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $12,723 Year 2: $17,396 Year 3: N/A Criminal Justice and Corrections (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $39,924 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A	Physical Science Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $54,753 Year 2: $62,260 Year 3: $82,989 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $64,000 Year 2: $65,066 Year 3: $71,677 Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $46,726 Year 2: $53,608 Year 3: $58,474 Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $55,461 Year 2: $39,009 Year 3: $58,024 Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $42,323 Year 2: $39,523 Year 3: $50,147 Precision Metal Working (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $44,796 Year 2: $30,771 Year 3: $49,266 Precision Metal Working (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $34,797 Year 2: $35,416 Year 3: $48,784 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $47,335 Year 2: $45,852 Year 3: $47,492 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $32,599 Year 2: $41,193 Year 3: $45,784 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $33,281 Year 3: $43,858

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between San Jacinto College and College of the Mainland?

San Jacinto College (San Jac) is a larger, multi-campus community college system serving a broader geographic area of the Houston metro, while College of the Mainland (COM) is a single-campus institution primarily serving Galveston County. San Jac generally offers a wider range of programs and services due to its size, but COM provides a more focused and community-oriented environment.
Which college is located closer to Houston?

San Jacinto College has multiple campuses throughout the eastern Houston metropolitan area, making it generally closer to Houston for many residents. College of the Mainland is located in Texas City, which is further southeast towards Galveston.
Does San Jacinto College or College of the Mainland offer more degree and certificate programs?

San Jacinto College typically offers a more extensive selection of degree and certificate programs compared to College of the Mainland. This is due to San Jac's larger size and broader service area. However, both colleges offer a solid foundation for academic transfer and career training.
How do the tuition costs compare between San Jacinto College and College of the Mainland?

Tuition costs at both San Jacinto College and College of the Mainland are generally comparable, as they are both public community colleges in Texas. However, specific tuition rates can vary based on residency status, course load, and program. It's best to check the official websites of both colleges for the most up-to-date tuition and fee schedules.
Which college is better for students interested in maritime or petrochemical-related programs?

College of the Mainland has a strong reputation for its programs related to the petrochemical industry, given its location in the heart of the Gulf Coast's industrial corridor. San Jacinto College also offers relevant programs, but COM's proximity and partnerships with local industries may provide a slight advantage in this area. For maritime programs, both colleges offer options, but San Jacinto College's maritime campus is a significant resource.
What student support services are available at San Jacinto College and College of the Mainland?

Both San Jacinto College and College of the Mainland offer a range of student support services, including academic advising, tutoring, career services, disability services, and financial aid assistance. San Jacinto College, being larger, may have a more extensive network of resources, but College of the Mainland provides personalized attention in a smaller setting.
How do the campus environments differ between San Jacinto College and College of the Mainland?

San Jacinto College has multiple campuses, each with its own unique atmosphere and resources. This provides students with a variety of options and experiences. College of the Mainland offers a more traditional, single-campus environment, fostering a close-knit community feel.
Are there any specific programs that one college excels in compared to the other?

While both colleges offer strong programs across various disciplines, College of the Mainland is particularly known for its programs related to the petrochemical industry and process technology. San Jacinto College has a well-regarded maritime program and a broader range of specialized programs due to its size.
What is the transfer rate like from San Jacinto College and College of the Mainland to four-year universities?

Both San Jacinto College and College of the Mainland have established transfer pathways to four-year universities in Texas and beyond. Transfer rates are generally comparable, and both colleges provide advising and resources to help students successfully transfer to their desired institutions. Students should consult with advisors at each college for specific transfer agreements and requirements.
How do I decide which college is the right fit for me?

Consider your academic interests, career goals, preferred learning environment, and location. Visit both San Jacinto College and College of the Mainland campuses, talk to current students and faculty, and research the specific programs you're interested in. Ultimately, the best college for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

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