Go to college for free while in high school
You know college is going to be expensive for your kids. But do you have any idea how expensive?
The average cost for a student who lives on campus at the University of North Texas is $28,494 – per year!
That’s nothing if you’re aiming for Texas Christian University. The Horned Frogs charge $63,500 per year – FOR TUITION ALONE. Want to live on campus? They estimate one year of tuition and the cost of living will cost $82,310.
Of course, if you stay at home, it’ll be less expensive. Less, that is, but still expensive. UT Arlington estimates tuition and fees at $12,208 for two semesters. But if you’re going to live on campus, that shoots up to $30,416. Tarrant County College is your cheapest option at $74 per credit hour, but that doesn’t include any fees, books, transportation, housing, etc.
But what if your child could complete two years of college for FREE while still in high school? That would save your family anywhere from about $5,000 to $165,000.
That’s a real choice in the Arlington ISD at our two early college high schools and four P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) programs. Each school offers students the opportunity to complete 60 hours of dual credit – or two years’ worth of college classes. Many students even graduate with an associate degree before they graduate from high school.
While the financial savings these six schools offer is huge, that’s not the biggest reason to choose one of them. The biggest reason is the exceptional education they offer and the preparation they give students for a successful future.
Need proof?
Take Arlington College and Career High School and Arlington Collegiate High School for example – early college high schools designed to enable students to complete high school and an associate degree at the same time. In the State of Texas, approximately 40% of students at early college high schools graduate with their diploma and an associate degree. In the Arlington ISD, more than 90% of our students achieve both.
If an early college high school or P-TECH sounds like the right choice for your eighth grader, the next step is to pick one and apply. With six to choose from, there is an option for every student. But you can’t wait. Applications are due Jan. 12, 2026.
Here are your choices:
- Arlington Collegiate High School
- Arlington College and Career High School
- P-TECH at Bowie High School (Health Science)
- P-TECH at Lamar High School (Cybersecurity and Business)
- P-TECH at Sam Houston High School (Logistics and Mechatronics)
- P-TECH at Seguin High School (Engineering and Computer-aided Drafting and Design)
Learn more about each program here and apply by Jan. 12, 2026.