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Alpine, Texas from atop Hancock HillPhoto: Patriarca12 · CC BY 4.0
Colleges in and near Alpine

Alpine is home to Sul Ross State University

Sul Ross State University (1,048 students on campus) is inside the city. About 14% of Alpine’s residents are enrolled in college, above Texas (6%).

Sul Ross State University

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Alpine. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
1
1,048 students on campus
Nearest college
0.8 mi
Sul Ross State
Residents in college
14%
Above TX (6%)
Nearest community college
128.5 mi
Odessa College · $2,688 tuition
Nearest public university
0.8 mi
Sul Ross State · $7,592 in-state
Median household income
$60K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Alpine

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A university in AlpineSul Ross State University has 1,048 students on campus in Alpine, 30% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at Sul Ross StateLiving in Texas, Sul Ross State University charges $7,592 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $17,672. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 128.5 miles awayOdessa College in Odessa: tuition and fees $2,688 a year for Texas residents.Students are 14% of residentsAbove Texas (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Alpine

It is public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Alpine.

5 mi10 mi15 miSul Ross StateAlpine
University or collegeCommunity college
Sul Ross State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 1,048 on campus · In Alpine99%admitted$13knet price30%graduate$42kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Alpine’s median household income ($60,139) falls.

Sul Ross State UniversityIn Alpine · sticker $24,529$11,261a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Alpine: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Sul Ross State
Sul Ross State University30% graduate$42k earnings$16k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Alpine

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Sul Ross State University, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 18%Education 15%Parks & recreation 11%Public safety 11%Psychology 10%Liberal arts 6%Everything else 28%

Biggest programs

Criminal Justice and Corrections36 graduates a year
$42k4 yrs out
Psychology, General31 graduates a year
$42k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness28 graduates a year
$58k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations25 graduates a year
$50k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Alpine

Is Alpine a college town?

No. About 14 of every 100 Alpine residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Texas (6). The largest campus in the city, Sul Ross State University, has 1,048 students on campus.

What colleges are in Alpine?

Sul Ross State University is inside the city. Odessa College is 128.5 miles away in Odessa.

What is the closest community college to Alpine, and what does it cost?

Odessa College in Odessa, 128.5 miles away. Tuition and fees are $2,688 a year for Texas residents; the federal net price, $6,368, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Sul Ross State University cost if we live in Texas?

Tuition and fees are $7,592 a year in-state and $17,672 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $11,110 (under $30,000 income) to $20,279 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Alpine. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →