College of the Mainland — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
College of the Mainland is a public community college located in Texas City that offers a broad range of associate degrees and technical programs. The institution is known for its strong focus on workforce development, providing specialized training for high-demand industries such as process technology, healthcare, and public safety. By maintaining close partnerships with regional employers, the college ensures that its curriculum remains relevant and effective for job seekers. With an emphasis on affordability and personalized support, College of the Mainland serves as an essential resource for students looking to gain practical skills and achieve their career goals efficiently.
College of the Mainland Acceptance Rate
College of the Mainland (COM) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at COM
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on College of the Mainland's verified institutional data
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
College of the Mainland (COM) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into COM Without SAT or ACT?
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for COM
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
COM provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
COM's Petrochemical Process Technology AAS is built specifically for the Operator profession in the petrochemical industry, guided by an advisory committee of education and regional industry representatives who regularly review and direct the curriculum - a direct response to COM's location in the Texas City/Houston Ship Channel petrochemical corridor. Applicants should name specific regional plants or the "Operator" career path explicitly, and understand that a "C" or better in every prescribed course (not just an overall 2.0 GPA) is required for degree eligibility.
Graduating high school seniors (including GED and homeschool students aged 17-19) who live in Texas City, La Marque, Hitchcock, or Santa Fe are eligible for tuition-free attendance through the Opening Doors Promise Scholarship, with no income or GPA requirement - only a completed FAFSA. Applicants from these specific communities should apply for this by name rather than relying on general financial aid, since it's a residency-based local program, not a general scholarship search result.
COM requires prospective students to attend a mandatory program information session before they can even receive a selective-admission program application (Nursing, and others) - this is a hard gate, not a recommendation, for at least some programs, though it's "highly recommended" even where not required. Applicants should confirm directly whether their target program requires this session and schedule it well before the application window, since skipping it can mean the application itself is unavailable.
COM's AAS Nursing admission uses a point system that heavily weights pre-requisite-course GPA (not overall GPA) alongside HESI A2 scores and Education Points for prior degrees/certificates on file with the Admissions Department - degrees not officially on file receive no points even if genuinely held. Applicants should retake any weak pre-requisite grade before applying (the program explicitly allows this) and verify all prior degrees are logged with Admissions well before submitting a ranking application.
A specific and easy-to-miss failure at COM is having a genuine prior degree or credential not counted in the Nursing program's point-based ranking simply because it isn't on file with the Admissions Department - the program's own guidelines state explicitly that no points are awarded for degrees that aren't officially logged, meaning a qualified applicant with an unrecorded bachelor's or associate degree can be ranked as if they don't have it at all. Confirm every prior credential is on file well before the ranking application deadline, not after.
COM Profile
Is a COM Degree Worth It?
Getting into COM can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. COM offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at COM is $55,600 and the graduate unemployment rate is 4.56%.
How much does a degree from COM Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at College of the Mainland is $8,014. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at College of the Mainland is $1,975.
27.6% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 3.4 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to COM and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At College of the Mainland, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist COM as your choice in the form.
How much does a COM Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $39,639. An average COM graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at COM
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by College of the Mainland →
Frequently Asked Questions About COM Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $39,639 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $8,014 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
27.6% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
