At $22,657/yr net price, Southern Careers Institute-Waco graduates earn $27,035/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,657 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $90,628 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $27,035/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-6,965/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 48.4% |
| 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 | $22,469/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $22,747/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,387/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,395/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $24,201 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $20,807 | $9,500 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $18,838 | $9,500 |
The Risk Factor
48.4% of students at Southern Careers Institute-Waco 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
The financial return at Southern Careers Institute-Waco is weak. You pay about $22,657 a year in net price, but the median graduate earns just $27,035 a decade after enrolling. That earnings figure sits close to what full-time minimum-wage work pays in Texas, which means the credential here does little to lift your income above where you'd land without it.
Every program listed is a certificate, not a degree. Precision Metal Working is the strongest of the three, and even it tops out near $24,000 a year. The two health tracks pay less: Health and Medical Administrative Services and Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services both land under $21,000, and both carry $9,500 in debt. You take on more debt in those health programs than you earn in about six months of the higher-paying trade program.
The specific risk here is the gap between cost and payoff. Median debt of $8,708 is modest, but stacked against sub-$27,000 earnings, even a small loan bites. Fewer than half of students finish, so there's a real chance you pay for time here and leave without the certificate.
The net price barely moves across income levels. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay roughly $22,469. if you earn $75,000 to $110,000, you pay about $24,395. Lower-income families don't get a meaningful discount, so the yearly cost hits hardest for families with the least room to absorb it.
This school makes sense if you want the Precision Metal Working certificate specifically and a Waco-area metalworking job is waiting for you. If you're eyeing the medical assisting or admin tracks, price out a community college certificate first, since the earnings here won't justify this cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southern Careers Institute-Waco worth the cost?
With graduates earning $27,035 ten years after enrollment and an annual cost of $22,657, Southern Careers Institute-Waco offers poor return on investment. The low graduation rate of 48% means many students pay for programs they never complete.
What are the best paying programs at Southern Careers Institute-Waco?
Precision Metal Working offers the highest earnings at $24,201 annually, though this is still below the school's cost per year. Health and Medical Administrative Services ($20,807) and Allied Health programs ($18,838) pay significantly less than tuition.
How much debt do Southern Careers Institute-Waco graduates have?
The median debt is $8,708, which is relatively low compared to other schools. However, with graduate earnings averaging only $27,035, even this modest debt load represents a significant portion of income.
Does Southern Careers Institute-Waco have good job placement rates?
With only 48% of students graduating, nearly half never complete their programs at Southern Careers Institute-Waco. The low earnings of graduates suggest limited job market success even for those who do finish.