Southern Careers Institute-Waco: 205 Students

205Students

48%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$27,035Earnings

Private forprofit2-yearData: 2023-24

About Southern Careers Institute-Waco

Southern Careers Institute-Waco trains students for in-demand technical and healthcare careers through hands-on programs designed to get graduates working quickly. The school serves 205 students in midsize Waco, focusing on practical skills that employers need. Classes stay small with a 25:1 student-faculty ratio, though this is higher than many technical colleges. The curriculum emphasizes career readiness over traditional academics.

Students pay an average net price of $22,657 after financial aid, with 84% receiving institutional grants averaging $4,646. Graduates earn a median of $27,035 ten years after enrollment, making the debt load of $8,708 relatively manageable with monthly payments around $92. The employment rate hits 90%, showing strong job placement success. However, the loan repayment rate of just 18% suggests some graduates struggle to pay back what they owe despite finding work.

The student body is overwhelmingly female at 80%, reflecting the school's focus on healthcare programs where women traditionally dominate. Students are entirely from Texas, with a diverse mix of 34% Hispanic, 30% Black, and 24% White students. Nearly two-thirds qualify for Pell Grants, indicating the school serves students from lower-income backgrounds seeking career advancement through technical training.

Academics & Faculty

Southern Careers Institute-Waco specializes in career-focused technical and healthcare training programs designed to get students into the workforce quickly. The school serves 205 students with a 25:1 student-faculty ratio, meaning larger class sizes that emphasize practical skills over individualized attention. With a 48.40% six-year graduation rate, about half of students complete their programs successfully. The curriculum focuses heavily on hands-on training in medical assisting, pharmacy technology, and other healthcare fields. Women make up 80% of the student body, reflecting the school's strength in traditionally female-dominated healthcare careers. Students can expect intensive, job-ready training rather than broad academic exploration.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 25:1
Full-Time Faculty: 38.5%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 48.4%
Median Earnings (10 years): $27,035

Popular Programs by Earnings

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Precision Metal Working.	Certificate	$24,201
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Certificate	$20,807
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Certificate	$18,838

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Campus Life

Southern Careers Institute-Waco operates from a compact campus in central Texas, about 90 miles south of Dallas. With only 205 students enrolled, you'll recognize most faces within your first few weeks. The student body is 80% women, reflecting the school's strong focus on healthcare and medical assistant programs. Waco's hot summers require plenty of sunscreen, while mild winters rarely call for heavy coats.

As a commuter school with 100% in-state students, campus life revolves around intensive career training rather than traditional college activities. The 25:1 student-faculty ratio means smaller, hands-on classes where instructors know your name and track your progress closely. Most students work part-time jobs while completing their programs, balancing studies with real-world responsibilities. Weekends often involve study groups, clinical practice, or simply catching up on coursework. The school's 90% employment rate speaks to its practical approach, students come here to launch careers quickly, not for the traditional college experience.

Setting: City-Midsize

Campus Safety (2023)

1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Burglary	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 35°–58°F
July Avg: 75°–94°F
Annual Precipitation: 37.5"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

Southern Careers Institute serves working-class students from across Texas seeking practical job training. Women make up four out of five students, reflecting the school's strong healthcare and medical assistant programs. The student body is majority Black and Hispanic, drawn by affordable career preparation that leads directly to employment. Nearly two-thirds receive Pell Grants, showing the school's commitment to students from lower-income backgrounds. All students come from in-state, giving Southern Careers a solid local reputation for hands-on training that gets graduates working quickly in their communities.

Men: 20.0%
Women: 80.0%
White: 23.9%
Black: 30.2%
Hispanic: 34.2%
Asian: 1.0%
In-State Students: 100.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 64.5%

Location

Waco sits in central Texas, about 100 miles south of Dallas-Fort Worth. The city of 140,000 people centers around Baylor University, giving it a college town atmosphere despite its mid-size population. Waco has rebuilt its reputation after the 1993 federal siege, now known for Magnolia Market and the popular HGTV show "Fixer Upper." The Brazos River runs through downtown, and students find affordable living costs compared to Texas's major metropolitan areas. All 205 students at Southern Careers Institute come from in-state, reflecting the school's local focus. Students considering colleges in Texas may also compare Southern Careers Institute-Waco with similar schools in the region.

Address: Waco, Texas 76706-3756

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $27,035
Median Earnings (5 years): $27,240
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $20,600
Loan Repayment Rate: 18.1%
Monthly Loan Payment: $92/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $8,708

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Southern Careers Institute-Waco?

The school enrolls 205 students and focuses on career-ready training rather than traditional academic prerequisites. As a private career college, Southern Careers Institute emphasizes practical skills development in technical and healthcare fields.

How much does Southern Careers Institute-Waco cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $22,657 annually. With 84.39% of students receiving institutional grants averaging $4,646, the school works to make career training accessible to working adults.

What programs is Southern Careers Institute-Waco known for?

The college specializes in career-focused technical and healthcare training programs with a 25:1 student-faculty ratio. Women make up 80% of the student body, reflecting the school's strength in healthcare and service industry preparation.

What are the job prospects after graduating from Southern Careers Institute-Waco?

Graduates achieve a 90% employment rate with median earnings of $27,035 ten years after enrollment. The school's focus on practical career training helps students enter the workforce quickly in their chosen fields.

Where do students at Southern Careers Institute-Waco come from?

All students are Texas residents, with 34.15% Hispanic, 30.24% Black, and 23.90% White students. The diverse student body reflects Waco's mid-size city demographics and the school's mission to serve local workforce needs.

How manageable is student debt at Southern Careers Institute-Waco?

Graduates carry a median debt of $8,708 with monthly loan payments of $92. The relatively low debt burden supports the school's goal of providing affordable career training without overwhelming financial obligations.