Precision Metal Working at Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen

This Precision Metal Working program at Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen delivers concerning results that should give parents pause. With first-year earnings of just $25,077, graduates earn significantly less than both the national median ($36,248) and Texas state median ($30,105) for this field. The program ranks in only the 5th percentile nationally and 25th percentile among Texas programs—meaning 95% of similar programs nationwide and 75% in Texas produce better earning outcomes.

The debt situation provides some relief with a manageable $7,125 burden and a reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28. However, when comparing to top-performing Texas programs like Amarillo College ($48,263) or San Jacinto Community College ($42,512), the earnings gap is substantial—nearly doubling what this program's graduates typically earn. Even the modest 16% earnings growth over four years doesn't close this gap meaningfully.

For families considering this investment, the data suggests looking elsewhere. With 71 programs offering precision metal working in Texas, including several community college options that deliver significantly better outcomes at similar or lower cost, this program appears to underperform its in-state competition considerably. The robust sample size makes these results reliable, not just a statistical fluke.