Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Southern Careers Institute-Waco
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
scitexas.eduAnalysis
Southern Careers Institute-Waco's electrical installation program earns less than half the national median for this credential ($25,267 versus $38,716), placing it in the 10th percentile nationally. However, that comparison is misleading: among Texas programs, it sits right at the state median and ranks in the 60th percentile. The real problem isn't this campus specifically—it's that Texas electrical installation certificate programs broadly underperform the national market. Look at the gap: Western Texas College grads earn $68,077, nearly triple what SCI-Waco grads make. Even Texas State Technical College grads earn more than double at $56,597.
The modest debt load of $7,125 keeps this from being a complete disaster. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28, graduates should be able to manage payments, unlike some programs that saddle students with debt equivalent to their entire first-year salary. The school serves a predominantly low-income population (65% Pell recipients), so access to any credential may matter for families where none exists.
The bottom line: this program offers manageable debt but disappointing earnings in a field that typically pays much better. If your child is set on staying in Waco, understand they'll likely earn half what they could at better Texas programs. Western Texas College and Texas State Technical College demonstrate that electrical installation credentials *can* lead to strong earnings—just not from every provider.
Where Southern Careers Institute-Waco Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all electrical and power transmission installers certificate's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Southern Careers Institute-Waco graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers certificate's programs at peer institutions in Texas (31 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Southern Careers Institute-WacoWaco | — | $25,267 | — | $7,125 | 0.28 |
 Western Texas CollegeSnyder | $3,240 | $68,077 | — | — | — |
 Texas State Technical CollegeWaco | $7,192 | $56,597 | $102,458 | $8,177 | 0.14 |
 Milan Institute-San Antonio IngramSan Antonio | — | $40,238 | — | $9,500 | 0.24 |
 Lamson InstituteSan Antonio | — | $36,261 | $46,753 | $8,867 | 0.24 |
| Southern Careers Institute-AustinAustin | — | $25,267 | — | $7,125 | 0.28 |
| National Median | — | $38,716 | — | $9,500 | 0.25 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with electrical and power transmission installers graduates
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
Electricians
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Solar Energy Installation Managers
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers
Signal and Track Switch Repairers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Southern Careers Institute-Waco, approximately 65% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.