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    Dropping Knowledge

    Surprise Texas college named the most affordable school in the nation

    Sarah Byerley
    Jul 7, 2011 | 10:55 am
    • The surprise school? South Texas College.
      Photo by Wonderwomen956
    • Many in the U.S. are starting to believe that higher education is no longerworth the investment.
    • The Affordability and Transparency Center aims to provide accurate informationabout the costs of attending college.
      Photo via College Cost

    Every year, the cost of sending young adults off to college skyrockets, leaving many questioning whether or not the investment is actually worth it.

    In a sea of statistics, it can be difficult to evaluate the pros and cons of investing in higher education. Different publications have employed varying methodologies in order to make sense of the jumbled information available to the public but for the first time, the United States government has gotten involved.

    The Department of Education recently released its own rankings of the most and least affordable colleges in the United States. The College Affordability and Transparency Center (which was recently launched) was mandated by education reforms passed in 2008, and aims to reveal to the general public the true costs of going to college.

    The Center allows users to sort colleges either by tuition costs or net costs, which takes into account the average costs after tuition, room and board, book fees and financial aid.

    CNNMoney compiled a list of the 10 most affordable colleges, and many from the Lone Star State made the cut.

    McAllen's South Texas College came in first, with a net price of only $1,317 to attend, and Edinburg's University of Texas - Pan American ran a close second, maintaining a net price of $1,646.

    The ninth spot belongs to Laredo's Texas A&M International University, with a net price of $4,594.

    No major Texas universities, including Rice University, the University of Houston, the University of Texas or Texas A&M made either the top five percent or bottom 10 percent of the rankings, which are the only ones reported by the Center.

    unspecified
    news/city-life

    This Week's Hot Headlines

    Shaq surprises Houston restaurant with $1,000 tip and more top stories

    CultureMap Staff
    Jul 12, 2025 | 11:00 am
    Shaquille O'Neal Ninfa's Uptown
    Courtesy of Ninfa's
    Shaquille O'Neal had lunch at Ninfa's Uptown.

    Editor's note: It's time to look back at the top Houston news of the week, starting with a surprise visit — and big tip — from Shaq. Plus, Houston ranks among America's most overpriced cities, and rents rise in Sugar Land. Get the details on our most popular stories below, then find the best things to do this weekend here.

    1. Shaquille O'Neal leaves $1,000 tip at Houston Tex-Mex institution. NBA Hall of Famer and media personality Shaquille O’Neal surprised the crowd at The Original Ninfa’s Uptown when he stopped by for lunch, posing for pics and leaving a very big tip.

    2. Veteran Houston bartender shakes up the Heights with new tropical bar. The woman behind your favorite bartender’s favorite bar has quietly opened a new cocktail spot in the Heights. Called Berwick’s Birds of Paradise, it’s the latest project from Double Trouble owner Robin Berwick.

     Berwick's Birds of Paradise bar Robin Berwick Owner Robin Berwick took inspiration from hotel bars for BBOP.  Photo by Vivian Leba  

    3. Houston is one of America's most overpriced cities, study finds. In what may come as a surprise to some local residents, a new study ranks Houston among the 10 most overpriced cities in America.

    4. This Houston suburb had the highest apartment rent prices in June. Apartment rent prices in June were more expensive in Sugar Land than anywhere else in Houston, according to the latest monthly rent report from Zumper.

    5. Houston influencer opens an antiques-filled boutique hotel in Montrose. 109 Stratford Street in Historic East Avondale has recently opened as a nine-room boutique hotel, The Marlene Inn, from owner and Instagram influencer Lily Barfield.

    most popular storiesshaquille o'nealcelebritiesopeningsrentreportsexpensiveinfluencershotelstop stories
    news/city-life
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