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

This program presents concerning value for students pursuing allied health careers. With median first-year earnings of just $21,645, graduates earn significantly less than both the national median ($27,186) and Texas median ($24,563) for similar programs. The 5th percentile national ranking is particularly troubling, indicating this program performs worse than 95% of comparable programs nationwide.

While the debt load of $9,500 is manageable and matches national averages, the low earnings create a challenging financial picture. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 means graduates owe nearly half their first-year salary, and even after four years, earnings only reach $23,143—still well below what other Texas programs deliver. Top community college systems in the state produce graduates earning $33,000-$35,000, demonstrating that much better outcomes are available locally.

The robust sample size of 100+ graduates makes these results reliable, not a statistical fluke. For a program serving primarily low-income students (76% receive Pell grants), these earnings levels may not provide sufficient economic mobility to justify the investment. Parents should strongly consider alternatives, particularly Houston Community College or Lone Star College System, which offer the same credential type but deliver substantially higher earning potential in the Texas market.