Median Earnings (1yr)
$24,084
23rd percentile (40th in TX)
Est. Median Debt
$14,217
Est. from national median (34 programs)
Sample Size
21
Limited data

Earnings Distribution

How South Texas College graduates compare to all programs nationally

South Texas College graduates earn $24k, placing them in the 23th percentile of all culinary arts associates programs nationally.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Culinary Arts associates's programs at peer institutions in Texas (25 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
South Texas College$24,084$26,558$14,217*
Dallas College$31,770*
Culinary Institute Inc$28,089$30,013$27,829*0.99
Texas State Technical College$26,927$26,065$11,000*0.41
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Austin$26,613$19,682*0.74
Houston Community College$26,419$21,641$26,217*0.99
National Median$26,446$15,125*0.57
* Estimated from similar programs

Other Culinary Arts Programs in Texas

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Texas schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
Dallas College
Dallas
$2,370$31,770
Culinary Institute Inc
Houston
$18,539$28,089$27,829
Texas State Technical College
Waco
$7,192$26,927$11,000
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Austin
Austin
$26,613$19,682
Houston Community College
Houston
$2,040$26,419$26,217

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At South Texas College, approximately 36% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.