Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen

This program presents significant earnings concerns that should give any parent pause. With median first-year earnings of just $21,645, graduates earn substantially less than both the national median ($27,186) and Texas state median ($24,563) for similar programs. Most troubling, this program ranks in the bottom 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of comparable programs produce better-earning graduates.

While the debt load appears manageable at $9,500 (matching national and state medians), the low earnings create a problematic financial picture. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 means graduates start with debt equivalent to nearly half their annual income. Even more concerning, earnings growth is minimal—just $1,500 over four years, suggesting limited career advancement potential. When you compare this to top Texas programs like Houston Community College ($35,469) or Lone Star College System ($33,233), the gap is stark—graduates there earn 50-60% more.

The bottom line: this program appears to be a poor investment compared to readily available alternatives within Texas. With 89 schools offering this program statewide, including several community colleges with dramatically better outcomes, there's little reason to settle for bottom-tier results. Your child would be better served exploring other Allied Health programs in Texas that offer substantially higher earning potential for similar or lower debt levels.