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Southern Careers Institute-Pharr
Pharr, Texas · Private for-profit career college
Address: 1500 N. Jackson Rd, Pharr, TX 78577 · Phone: (512) 437-7500 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Southern Careers Institute-Pharr is a private for-profit trade school in Pharr, Texas offering medical assistant, welding, and pharmacy technician programs, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Southern Careers Institute-Pharr has a 61.0% completion rate versus a 63.5% state average, with median graduate debt of $8,708 and median earnings of $27,035 ten years after entry.
Annual cost of attendance at Southern Careers Institute-Pharr is $27,432, federal financial aid such as FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used, and 74.3% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical assistants | $31,200 | $39,520 | $46,180 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,380 | $53,340 | $64,770 |
| Pharmacy technicians | $35,920 | $45,900 | $48,960 |
| Medical records specialists | $34,440 | $48,860 | $63,970 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 153 | $19,157 | $18,838 | $9,500 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 112 | $31,128 | $24,201 | $7,125 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 37 | $19,157 | $18,838 | $9,500 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 17 | $20,226 | $20,807 | $9,500 |
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
Southern Careers Institute-Pharr is a private for-profit trade and career school located in Pharr, Texas. It is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, and federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used by eligible students at this campus. The campus awards credentials most often in medical assistant programs (153 completers), welding schools (112 completers), and pharmacy technician programs (37 completers), across four program families total.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 61.0%, which sits near the state average of 63.5%. Graduates carry a median debt of $8,708, and median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $27,035. Annual cost of attendance is listed at $27,432, and 74.3% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a large share of the student body qualifies for federal need-based aid.
This campus may suit students seeking short, focused training programs in medical support, welding, or pharmacy technician fields rather than multi-year associate degrees, based on the program families offered. Whether it fits an adult career-changer depends on personal circumstances, schedule needs, and program length details not reported for this campus in federal data. Prospective students should verify accreditation status directly with the Council on Occupational Education and review current outcomes on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Southern Careers Institute-Pharr offers four program families, most notably medical assistant programs, welding schools, and pharmacy technician programs, along with medical billing and coding.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, and its accreditation status is listed as accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this campus participates in Title IV federal financial aid, 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 completion rate is 61.0%, which is near the state average of 63.5%, according to federal Scorecard data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $8,708, per federal College Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $27,035, per federal Scorecard data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The reported annual cost of attendance is $27,432.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a private for-profit school, which can affect tuition levels, program costs, and how outcomes compare to public alternatives; prospective students should weigh cost against reported outcomes.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Council on Occupational Education and review federal outcome data at the College Scorecard link: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?408385.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
Fit for adult career-changers depends on schedule and program length details not reported in federal data; the school's offerings in medical assistant, welding, and pharmacy technician training may appeal to those seeking shorter career-focused training, but contact the school to confirm scheduling options.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing or certification requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (512) 437-7500 or visit https://www.scitexas.edu/ for program-specific certification information.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Southern Careers Institute-Pharr by phone at (512) 437-7500 or through its website at https://www.scitexas.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; check the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?408385 to compare similar programs.
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.