Higher Education in San Marcos

A leader in higher education and training, the Austin Community College District has been a longtime partner of the San Marcos community, serving students through the ACC San Marcos Center and Austin campuses. The college's Master Plan calls for improving access to higher education for San Marcos residents by constructing a new campus in the San Marcos area—contingent upon SMCISD voters' approval of joining the ACC District.

An ACC San Marcos Campus would provide opportunities for residents of all ages to access convenient and affordable higher education and training. The campus would offer:

• General education courses that transfer to any Texas public college or university.
• Workforce associate degrees and certificates in high-demand careers.
• Access/foundation programs for individuals who are not yet ready for college but want to continue their studies and prepare for better paying careers.

As a permanent facility, with dedicated space and room to grow, it also would provide programs and opportunities not currently available, including:

• A learning lab with free tutoring.
• Computer and science labs.
• Day, evening, and weekend classes.
• Comprehensive student services including admissions and records, counseling, advising, financial aid, and career planning.
• Student Life activities to engage and enrich students' college experience.
  

Did You Know?

• ACC is the gateway to higher education and training for more than 50 percent of the region's high school graduates.1
• ACC is the No. 1 provider of transfer students to Texas State University and the University of Texas at Austin.
• ACC is a primary trainer of the regional workforce, including healthcare workers and first responders. Credit classes are free to senior citizens based upon space availability.

ACC In-District Benefits

At $42 per credit hour, ACC’s in-district tuition rate is among the lowest in Texas. In-district families also get free access to ACC’s Early College Start Program, which allows high school students to complete up to one year of transferable college courses before graduation. Credit classes are free to senior citizens based upon space availability.

ACC Excels in Education

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which has accredited ACC to award the associate degree, is the same accrediting body that oversees Texas' four-year colleges and universities.

• ACC professors meet the same credentialing standards as faculty at four-year colleges and universities.
• ACC transfer students perform well at area universities such as UT-Austin and Texas State.3
• ACC graduates routinely excel on professional certification/licensing exams.4

Taxpayer Return on Investment

ACC provides high-quality, affordable education that helps citizens find better jobs, earn higher wages, and contribute more to the local tax base.

• The state's return on its investment in higher education is estimated at $8.08 for every $1 invested.5
• A well-educated workforce reduces the need for social services, which shrinks the tax burden of providing services for the under- or unemployed.6
• An associate degree brings $340,000 more in lifetime income than a high school diploma.7
• The Texas Comptroller's Office estimates the economic impact of all Texans with associate degrees is $10.1 billion annually.8

ACC In-District Costs

ACC's maintenance and operations (M&O) tax rate is capped at 9 cents plus a current rate of $0.0051 per $100 valuation to retire facilities bonds, less than the state average of 15 cents.9

In addition:

• Senior citizens and individuals with disabilities receive a tax exemption of $115,000 (plus the standard $5,000 homestead exemption).
• The tax rate cap has been raised only once in the history of the college, with voter approval. Any future change to the M&O tax cap would also require voter approval.
• For a home priced at $200,000, the cost to seniors and homeowners with disabilities would be $76.08 per year, or $6.34 a month. Additional scenarios are listed below.

1. Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, "High School Graduates Enrolled in Higher Education the Following Fall," 2008-2009.
2. Collegefortexans.com, “College Costs, 2010-2011."
3. ACC Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Accountability, "Student Success Factors Report," AY 2008-09.
4. Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, "Licensure Rates," 2006-2008.
5. The Perryman Group, "A Tale of Two States - And One Million Jobs!!" March 2007.
6. Ibid.
7. Texas Comptroller's Office, "Texas Works Report," December 2008.
8. Ibid.
9. Texas Association of Community Colleges, "Academic Year 2009-10 Tax and Valuation Survey."