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Southwest Texas Junior College
Uvalde, Texas · Public
Address: 2401 Garner Field Rd, Uvalde, TX 78801 · Phone: (830) 278-4401 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Southwest Texas Junior College is a public trade and career school in Uvalde, Texas offering welding, CNA, and auto mechanic programs, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Southwest Texas Junior College has a 30.5% completion rate, below the 63.5% state average, with median graduate debt of $6,200 and median earnings of $35,563 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; federal financial aid including Pell Grants and FAFSA can be used here, and 33.2% 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 |
| Nursing assistants | $30,620 | $37,500 | $43,070 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $29,360 | $48,310 | $62,270 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $38,100 | $57,760 | $69,860 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $48,910 | $62,240 | $68,410 |
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | $48,600 | $84,440 | $99,490 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $30,320 | $37,260 | $44,240 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $40,930 | $58,810 | $70,400 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $48,550 | $78,630 | $93,830 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $23,580 | $30,680 | $47,180 |
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 | 96 | $27,106 | $36,560 | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 95 | $33,863 | $30,988 | $9,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 61 | $29,245 | $23,803 | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 47 | not reported | $25,194 | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 45 | $33,863 | $30,988 | $9,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 26 | $29,245 | $23,803 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 24 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 18 | $29,245 | $23,803 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 16 | not reported | $55,964 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 3 | $29,245 | $23,803 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | $29,245 | $23,803 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | $29,245 | $23,803 | 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
Southwest Texas Junior College is a public community college located in Uvalde, Texas, a remote-town setting. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and participates in federal Title IV financial aid programs, meaning students can use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants to help pay for their education. Among its 14 program families, the campus awards the most credentials in welding schools, CNA classes, and auto mechanic schools, alongside offerings in HVAC, LPN, aviation mechanics, EMT training, diesel mechanics, radiology technology, and cosmetology.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 30.5%, below the state average of 63.5%. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $6,200, and median earnings ten years after entry were $35,563. About 33.2% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of lower-income enrollment. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With 444 trade program completers out of 3,306 total undergraduates, this campus offers a mix of shorter certificate-style trade programs and longer associate-level study. The range of programs, from welding to allied health fields like radiology and CNA training, may suit both recent high school graduates and adult career-changers, though program length and schedule details should be confirmed directly with the school. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and review detailed outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Southwest Texas Junior College offers 14 program families, with the most completers in welding schools, CNA classes, and auto mechanic schools. It also offers HVAC, LPN, aviation mechanics, EMT training, diesel mechanics, radiology technology, and cosmetology programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, 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, federal loans, and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 30.5%, 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 $6,200, according to federal Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are $35,563, per federal 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 (830) 278-4401 or visit swtjc.edu for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public school, which typically means lower tuition for in-state residents and eligibility for state funding, in addition to federal financial aid.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in the available data; contact the school directly to confirm program duration for programs like welding or CNA training.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and review detailed outcome data at the College Scorecard link: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?228316.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers a mix of shorter certificate programs and associate-level trade programs across fields like welding, automotive, and allied health, which may suit adult learners, though specific scheduling details are not reported and should be confirmed with the school.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact Southwest Texas Junior College at (830) 278-4401 or visit their website at https://www.swtjc.edu/ for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not included in this listing; consult the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?228316 to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings 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.