Was the Debt Worth It? Alumni Reflect on the Value of their College Education

This brief examines how former students perceive the value of the student loan debt they incurred while attending Dallas College, with particular attention to differences between credential completers and non-completers. Using survey responses from more than 200 alumni who enrolled between 2009-10 and 2019-20 and borrowed to attend the College, the analysis explores the relationship between completion status, debt levels, income, and perceptions of whether student debt, and the Dallas College education associated with it, was ultimately “worth it.”

Several key patterns emerge. Dallas College completers generally hold lower levels of debt than completers at other institutions and report slightly stronger household income outcomes than non-completers. They are also more likely than non-completers and completers at other institutions to say their student debt was worth the financial returns. However, even among Dallas College completers, perceptions are more mixed when considering the personal and life sacrifices associated with repaying debt. Across all groups, a substantial share of respondents indicate they would be hesitant to take on the same level of debt again.

Perceptions of educational value are more positive than perceptions of debt. Regardless of debt level, most respondents believe their Dallas College education helped them access employment and contributed to their job prospects. Notably, even some non-completers report labor market benefits from their coursework, though completers are more likely to connect their credentials to well-paying and in-field employment. At the same time, many completers at other institutions do not attribute their current occupations to their time at Dallas College, suggesting variation in program alignment and transfer pathways.

When results are examined by debt bracket, respondents in all ranges are more likely to say their debt was not worth the financial returns than to say it was. Yet, across the same debt levels, respondents are more likely to view their Dallas College education itself as valuable in the labor market. This tension highlights an important distinction: alumni may value the education they received while still feeling burdened by the cost of financing it.

Overall, the findings suggest that credential completion, manageable debt levels, and clearer connections between programs of study and labor market outcomes are central to improving alumni perceptions of return on investment. These insights have implications for financial aid advising, student success coaching, academic program design, and career alignment efforts aimed at helping students make informed borrowing decisions and reach completion with strong post-college outcomes.