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South Texas College
McAllen, Texas · Public college
Address: 3201 W. Pecan, McAllen, TX 78501 · Phone: (855) 468-6782 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
South Texas College is a public trade school in McAllen, Texas offering welding, LPN/LVN, and HVAC programs, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $36,788, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Completion rate and graduate debt figures are not reported for this campus in federal data.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for South Texas College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid applies here, and about 38.8% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,380 | $53,340 | $64,770 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $48,910 | $62,240 | $68,410 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $38,100 | $57,760 | $69,860 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $30,320 | $37,260 | $44,240 |
| Electricians | $37,920 | $58,570 | $71,130 |
| Medical assistants | $31,200 | $39,520 | $46,180 |
| Nursing assistants | $30,620 | $37,500 | $43,070 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $40,930 | $58,810 | $70,400 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $31,380 | $56,080 | $71,870 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $29,360 | $48,310 | $62,270 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $48,550 | $78,630 | $93,830 |
| Medical records specialists | $34,440 | $48,860 | $63,970 |
| Pharmacy technicians | $35,920 | $45,900 | $48,960 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Texas (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 255 | $29,996 | $27,995 | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 135 | $27,764 | $27,301 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 98 | $29,996 | $27,995 | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 89 | $22,626 | $23,869 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 73 | $34,713 | $37,424 | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 68 | $30,439 | $25,194 | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 65 | $27,764 | $27,301 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 42 | $23,362 | $29,902 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 34 | $45,483 | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 25 | $50,038 | $43,922 | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 24 | not reported | $13,702 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 23 | $34,303 | $35,772 | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 22 | not reported | $19,227 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 22 | $29,996 | $27,995 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 18 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 18 | $23,362 | $29,902 | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 17 | not reported | $18,498 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 14 | $25,439 | $27,822 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 14 | $25,439 | $27,822 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 13 | not reported | $25,194 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 12 | $50,038 | $43,922 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 12 | $25,439 | $27,822 | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 12 | not reported | $18,498 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 12 | $45,483 | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 12 | $34,303 | $35,772 | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 11 | not reported | $13,702 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 9 | $50,038 | $43,922 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 8 | $23,362 | $29,902 | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate degree | 7 | $27,688 | $25,194 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | $34,713 | $37,424 | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 3 | $25,439 | $27,822 | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | $34,713 | $37,424 | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
South Texas College is a public trade and career training campus in McAllen, Texas. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, applies here (Title IV eligible), and the school holds accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, along with program-specific accreditors including the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Across its 35 programs, the campus awards the most credentials in Welding schools (421 completers), LPN / LVN programs (135), and HVAC schools (111), reflecting a strong emphasis on skilled trades and healthcare support fields.
In federal data, this campus reports 1,191 trade completers out of an undergraduate enrollment of 15,856. The state average completion rate is 63.5%, though how this campus compares is not reported for this campus in federal data, and the campus's own completion rate is not reported for this campus in federal data. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $36,788. Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 38.8% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting a meaningful share of lower-income enrollment.
With a broad mix of short-term trade credentials and longer allied-health programs, this campus may suit both first-time students and adult career changers seeking hands-on, skills-based training, though exact program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and detailed outcomes directly through the College Scorecard or by contacting the school.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
South Texas College offers 35 programs across fields including welding, LPN/LVN nursing, HVAC, electrician training, and medical assisting. The top programs by completions are welding schools (421), LPN/LVN programs (135), and HVAC schools (111).
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, South Texas College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, with additional program-specific accreditation from bodies such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The state average completion rate is 63.5%, but this campus's own completion rate and how it compares are not reported for this campus in federal data. Check the College Scorecard link for updates.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school directly for information on typical borrowing.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $36,788, per federal College Scorecard data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school at (855) 468-6782 or visit its website for current tuition rates.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
South Texas College is a public institution, which often means lower published tuition rates for state residents compared to for-profit schools, though actual costs should be confirmed directly.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school to ask about specific program durations.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation status and review federal outcome data through the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?409315.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers a mix of short-term trade credentials and longer healthcare programs, which may suit adult career changers, but specific scheduling and format details are not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school to discuss fit for your situation.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Federal data does not report specific licensing requirements for this campus's programs. Contact the school directly to learn about licensing exams tied to programs like LPN/LVN or HVAC.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach South Texas College at (855) 468-6782 or visit https://www.southtexascollege.edu/ for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Federal data provided here does not include direct comparisons with other nearby schools. Use the College Scorecard to compare completion rates, costs, and earnings across institutions.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.