Business Operations Support and Assistant Services at Southern Careers Institute-Pharr

Southern Careers Institute-Pharr's numbers look troubling at first—$18,214 in first-year earnings is well below the national median of $25,094. But context matters significantly here: this program actually sits at the 60th percentile among Texas schools offering business operations certificates. The real concern isn't the starting salary in the Rio Grande Valley economy; it's that earnings slip to $17,637 by year four. With three-quarters of students receiving Pell grants, many are likely seeking a quick path to employment, but the declining earnings trajectory suggests limited advancement opportunities in these support roles.

The debt load of $6,861 is reasonable—below both the national and state medians for this credential. At 0.38 times first-year earnings, students can realistically pay this off even on these modest salaries. However, earning power appears to stagnate or decline rather than grow with experience, which is unusual for any credential and raises questions about the long-term career path these roles offer.

For families in the Pharr area needing immediate workforce entry, this program won't burden students with crushing debt. But parents should recognize they're investing in a plateau career, not a launching pad. If geographic flexibility is possible, Houston Community College graduates earn more than double ($37,482), though that may reflect Houston's stronger job market as much as program quality.