Business Operations Support and Assistant Services at Southern Careers Institute-San Antonio

Southern Careers Institute's business operations certificate lands squarely in the middle of Texas programs—literally at the state median—but those Texas numbers tell a sobering story. At $18,214 one year out, graduates earn about $7,000 less than the national median for this credential, and the gap doesn't close over time.

The debt load is manageable at $6,861, particularly for a program serving predominantly low-income students (65% receive Pell grants). However, when annual earnings hover around $18,000, even modest debt becomes significant. Houston Community College and Dallas College graduates in similar programs earn roughly double these figures, suggesting that community colleges may offer better pathways to administrative roles with real advancement potential. The slight earnings decline by year four hints that these positions may not build into higher-paying careers.

For families considering this certificate, the central question is opportunity cost: would your child be better served starting directly in entry-level office work while pursuing an associate degree part-time? The earnings here barely exceed full-time minimum wage in Texas, and other institutions demonstrate that business operations training can lead to substantially stronger outcomes. This program might make sense for someone needing credentials quickly for immediate employment, but it shouldn't be viewed as a strong foundation for long-term career growth.