Real Estate at Austin Community College District

Austin Community College's real estate certificate punches above its weight in a competitive Texas market. With graduates earning $36,939 within a year—above both the state median ($35,668) and even outpacing Dallas College's program—this ranks solidly at the 60th percentile among Texas real estate certificates. More impressive is the debt picture: at just $9,500, students borrow roughly half what's typical for these programs statewide ($15,003), creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26 that most four-year degrees would envy.

The caution here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. Real estate is also inherently cyclical and commission-based, so individual results will vary more than in salaried professions. That said, for someone who wants to enter Austin's hot real estate market quickly and affordably, this certificate delivers solid earnings with minimal debt burden. You're essentially betting on a credential that costs less than a used car while providing access to a career where hustle and market conditions matter more than pedigree.