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Southern Careers Institute-Waco
Waco, Texas · Private for-profit career college
Address: 3700 South IH-35 Suite A, Waco, TX 76706 · Phone: (512) 387-7528 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Southern Careers Institute-Waco is a private for-profit trade school in Waco, Texas offering medical assistant, welding, and electrician programs, accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
Southern Careers Institute-Waco has a 44.7% completion rate, below the Texas average of 63.5%, with median graduate debt of $8,708 and median earnings of $27,035 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance at Southern Careers Institute-Waco is $27,247, federal financial aid including FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used since the school participates in Title IV, and 62.9% 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 |
| Electricians | $37,920 | $58,570 | $71,130 |
| 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 | 66 | $19,157 | $18,838 | $9,500 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 27 | $31,128 | $24,201 | $7,125 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 24 | not reported | not reported | $7,125 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | $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-Waco is a private for-profit trade and career school located in Waco, Texas. It is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education and participates in federal Title IV financial aid programs, meaning students may use FAFSA, Pell Grants, and federal loans to help pay for their education. The campus awards credentials most often in medical assistant programs, welding, electrician training, and medical billing and coding, with medical assistant programs making up the largest share of completions.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 44.7%, which is below the Texas 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. The annual cost of attendance is listed at $27,247, and 62.9% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a student body with substantial financial need.
This campus may suit students seeking shorter, hands-on career-training programs in fields like medical assisting, welding, or electrical work rather than a traditional multi-year degree path; however, program length details are not reported for this campus in federal data, so prospective students should confirm schedules directly with the school. Anyone considering enrollment should verify current accreditation status with the Council on Occupational Education and review the school's outcomes on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard before enrolling, since figures can change year to year.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Southern Careers Institute-Waco offers programs in medical assisting, welding, electrician training, and medical billing and coding. Medical assistant programs are the largest, with 66 completions reported.
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 school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA, Pell Grants, and federal loans.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 44.7%, which is below the Texas state average of 63.5%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $8,708, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $27,035.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
The reported annual cost of attendance is $27,247.
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 costs and available financial aid compared to public or non-profit institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (512) 387-7528 or visit scitexas.edu to confirm.
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 on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?493992.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers career-focused training in fields like medical assisting, welding, and electrical work, which may suit adults seeking hands-on training, though specific program lengths and schedules are not reported here and should be confirmed with the school.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing and certification requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for program-specific requirements.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact Southern Careers Institute-Waco at (512) 387-7528 or through its website at https://www.scitexas.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; check the College Scorecard to compare outcomes across schools.
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.