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Texas State Technical College
Waco, Texas · Public
Address: 3801 Campus Drive, Waco, TX 76705 · Phone: (800) 792-8784 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Texas State Technical College is a public trade school in Waco, Texas, offering welding, diesel mechanic, and auto mechanic programs, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Texas State Technical College has a 45.5% completion rate, below the state average of 63.5%, with median graduate debt of $9,500 and median earnings of $38,916 ten years after entry.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Texas State Technical College; federal financial aid such as FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used, and 40.2% 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 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $40,930 | $58,810 | $70,400 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $29,360 | $48,310 | $62,270 |
| Electrical power-line installers and repairers | $46,760 | $78,940 | $99,110 |
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | $48,600 | $84,440 | $99,490 |
| Electricians | $37,920 | $58,570 | $71,130 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $30,320 | $37,260 | $44,240 |
| Surgical technologists | $39,950 | $65,220 | $80,790 |
| Machinists | $38,600 | $59,180 | $69,800 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $31,380 | $56,080 | $71,870 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $48,910 | $62,240 | $68,410 |
| Dental hygienists | $71,530 | $99,240 | $107,320 |
| Medical records specialists | $34,440 | $48,860 | $63,970 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $38,270 | $59,840 | $74,100 |
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, 1–2 years | 232 | $37,234 | $34,259 | $7,667 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 140 | $38,233 | $32,010 | $7,333 |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 135 | $41,296 | $38,289 | $9,168 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 114 | $39,178 | $38,743 | $9,834 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 105 | $55,636 | $73,737 | $7,335 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 100 | $74,049 | $81,333 | $11,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 65 | $38,233 | $32,010 | $7,333 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 64 | $37,234 | $34,259 | $7,667 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 47 | $39,178 | $38,743 | $9,834 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 45 | $39,178 | $38,743 | $9,834 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 40 | $39,178 | $38,743 | $9,834 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 37 | not reported | not reported | $6,334 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 34 | $74,049 | $81,333 | $11,000 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 31 | $49,439 | $50,439 | $12,955 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 31 | $28,373 | $29,685 | $12,833 |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 30 | $41,296 | $38,289 | $9,168 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 27 | $23,577 | $19,719 | $11,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 24 | $39,178 | $38,743 | $9,834 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 21 | not reported | not reported | $6,334 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 20 | not reported | not reported | $6,334 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 20 | $50,998 | $49,621 | $11,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 20 | $50,998 | $49,621 | $11,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 18 | $39,178 | $38,743 | $9,834 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 17 | $55,636 | $73,737 | $7,335 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate degree | 16 | $24,619 | $24,615 | $17,917 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 16 | $38,233 | $32,010 | $7,333 |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 12 | $38,233 | $32,010 | $7,333 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 9 | $37,234 | $34,259 | $7,667 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | not reported | not reported | $9,500 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | $38,233 | $32,010 | $7,333 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | $38,233 | $32,010 | $7,333 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | $37,234 | $34,259 | $7,667 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 4 | $38,233 | $32,010 | $7,333 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | $55,636 | $73,737 | $7,335 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | $9,500 |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | 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 the cohort was too small to publish.
About this school
Texas State Technical College is a public trade and career school located in Waco, Texas. The campus is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here. TSTC offers 40 program families in fields such as welding, diesel mechanics, auto mechanics, lineman work, aviation mechanics, electrician training, EMT training, surgical technology, CNC machining, culinary arts, LPN programs, dental hygiene, medical billing and coding, and plumbing. The most-awarded programs are welding (431 completers), diesel mechanic training (254 completers), and auto mechanic training (152 completers).
Federal data show a completion rate of 45.5%, which is below the state average of 63.5%. Graduates carry a median debt of $9,500, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $38,916. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 40.2% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting a substantial share of financially needy students.
With 9,437 undergraduates and 1,529 trade completers reported, this midsize-city campus offers a range of short-term and longer trade programs. The mix of hands-on fields suggests options for both first-time students and adult career changers, though specific program lengths and schedules are not detailed here and should be confirmed directly with the school. Prospective students can verify accreditation status and outcome data through the College Scorecard or by contacting TSTC directly.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Texas State Technical College offers 40 program families, with the most completers in welding, diesel mechanics, and auto mechanics. Other fields include lineman work, aviation mechanics, electrician training, EMT training, surgical technology, CNC machining, culinary arts, LPN programs, dental hygiene, medical billing and coding, and plumbing.
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 campus participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 45.5%, which is below the Texas state average of 63.5%, per federal data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $9,500, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $38,916, per the College Scorecard.
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 (800) 792-8784 or visit tstc.edu for current tuition.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Texas State Technical College is a public institution, which typically means state-supported tuition rates and eligibility for federal financial aid, as confirmed here.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in the data provided; 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 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and check outcome data on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?487320.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data does not specify program formats or schedules for adult learners, so this cannot be confirmed from federal data; contact the school to discuss options for career changers.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing and certification requirements are not reported in this data; contact the school or check relevant state licensing boards for programs like welding, diesel mechanics, or EMT.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Texas State Technical College at (800) 792-8784 or through its website, https://www.tstc.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with nearby schools is not reported in this dataset; prospective students can use the College Scorecard to compare completion rates, costs, 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.