Health/Medical Preparatory Programs at Southwest College for the Deaf

With fewer than 30 graduates, this data requires careful interpretation, but the patterns tell a concerning story. Earning $18,922 one year after graduation places this program in the bottom 10% nationally for health/medical prep programs, where the typical graduate earns $27,336. That $8,400 earnings gap represents a significant disadvantage when starting a healthcare career. The debt load of $14,650 isn't unusually high by national standards, but paired with such low earnings, it creates a debt-to-income ratio of 77%—meaning nearly a full year's salary goes toward educational debt.

The state comparison offers an unexpected wrinkle: this program actually sits at the 60th percentile among Texas health prep programs, suggesting statewide challenges in this field rather than program-specific underperformance. However, that's cold comfort when your graduate is earning barely above minimum wage. The institution serves a predominantly low-income population (74% receive Pell grants) and specializes in deaf education, which may explain some of the economic outcomes but doesn't change the financial reality.

For parents of deaf students seeking healthcare preparation, this may fill an important accessibility need that other programs can't match. But if your child has other options—particularly programs where graduates clear $25,000+ in first-year earnings—the financial trade-off here is steep. The specialized support might be worth it, but go in with eyes open about the earning potential.