Real Estate at Dallas College

Dallas College's real estate certificate produces earnings that lag behind most Texas alternatives, starting at $34,398 and climbing to just under $40,000 after four years. That puts graduates in the bottom 40% statewide—meaning six out of ten comparable programs in Texas deliver better results. Austin Community College, for instance, sees its graduates earning $2,500 more right out of the gate.

The debt load of $17,063 isn't catastrophic, but it's actually higher than the Texas median for this credential ($15,003), which compounds the value concern. You're paying slightly more for below-average outcomes. The 16% earnings growth over four years is reasonable, but you're still climbing from a lower starting point than most in-state peers.

For a parent evaluating this program, the question is whether Dallas College's location advantages—network, job access—offset these weaker numbers. If your child can complete this certificate while living at home and keeping debt below $15,000, it might work as a credential stacking opportunity. But as a standalone investment, the data suggests looking first at higher-performing Texas programs before settling here.