At $29,173/yr net price, Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio graduates earn $27,035/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $29,173 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $116,692 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $27,035/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-6,965/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 57.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,708 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $28,745/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $29,066/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $29,979/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $33,127/yr |
| $110,001+ | $33,531/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians. | Certificate | $27,203 | $9,500 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $24,201 | $7,125 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $20,807 | $9,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Certificate | $19,422 | $8,507 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $18,838 | $9,500 |
The Risk Factor
57.9% of students at Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio delivers poor financial returns that will leave most graduates struggling to repay their investment. With median earnings of just $27,035 ten years after graduation and an annual net price of $29,173, you're essentially paying more than a full year's future salary for your education.
Environmental Control Technologies offers the best earning potential at $27,203, though even this top program barely exceeds the school's overall median. Precision Metal Working follows at $24,201 with lower debt of $7,125, making it the most viable option financially. Healthcare programs dominate the offerings but severely underperform, with Medical Administrative Services at $20,807 and Medical Assisting at just $18,838 despite carrying $9,500 in debt.
The 57.9% graduation rate compounds your financial risk, meaning four out of ten students leave without completing their programs while still carrying debt. With 65% of students requiring financial aid, the school attracts students who can least afford poor outcomes.
You should only consider Southern Careers Institute if you're specifically interested in environmental control technology or precision metalworking and have exhausted community college options. These programs at least offer some return on investment. Avoid the healthcare programs entirely, as they combine high debt with wages barely above minimum wage levels.
For most prospective students, community colleges in San Antonio offer similar programs at significantly lower costs with better long-term financial outcomes. The math at Southern Careers Institute simply doesn't work in your favor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio worth the cost?
The numbers suggest questionable value, with graduates earning $27,035 annually after paying $29,173 per year for school. Most programs lead to salaries below $25,000, making it difficult to justify the cost.
What programs at Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio have the best ROI?
Environmental Control Technologies offers the highest graduate earnings at $27,203, followed by Precision Metal Working at $24,201. These are the only programs that come close to matching the annual tuition cost.
How much debt do Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio students graduate with?
The median debt is relatively low at $8,708, which is manageable compared to the $29,173 annual cost. However, with low graduate earnings, even this modest debt burden may strain budgets.
What is the graduation rate at Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio?
The graduation rate is 57.90%, meaning over 4 in 10 students don't complete their programs. This adds significant risk to an already questionable financial investment.