Career Training Path › Texas › Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies
Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies
Weslaco, Texas · Private non-profit career college
Address: 345 S. Texas Blvd., Weslaco, TX 78596 · Phone: (956) 973-1945 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, since lifted — Feb 2026 · Show Cause · Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools; Aug 2026 · Renewal of Accreditation. 2 sanction actions in the window.
Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies is a private non-profit trade school in Weslaco, Texas offering LPN/LVN, medical assistant, and CNA programs, accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.
Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies has an 80.0% completion rate versus a 63.5% state average, with median graduate debt of $9,500 and median earnings of $33,472 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance at Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies is $17,905, federal financial aid such as FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used, and 95.2% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $48,910 | $62,240 | $68,410 |
| Medical assistants | $31,200 | $39,520 | $46,180 |
| Nursing assistants | $30,620 | $37,500 | $43,070 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $48,550 | $78,630 | $93,830 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 48 | $24,899 | $23,745 | $7,917 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 16 | $18,685 | not reported | $9,500 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 11 | $24,899 | $23,745 | $7,917 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 9 | $19,603 | $17,340 | $9,500 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 5 | $18,715 | $17,323 | $7,019 |
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
Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies is a private non-profit trade and career school in Weslaco, Texas. It is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, and it participates in federal Title IV programs, meaning students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants to help pay for their education. The campus awards five program families, most commonly LPN / LVN programs, medical assistant programs, and CNA classes.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 80.0%, above the Texas state average of 63.5%. Graduates carry a median debt of $9,500, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $33,472. Annual cost of attendance is reported at $17,905, and 95.2% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the student body is largely lower-income. Undergraduate enrollment is 84, with 89 trade completers reported.
This campus, located in a large suburb, appears geared toward students entering short, health-focused credential programs such as LPN, medical assistant, and CNA training rather than multi-year associate degrees. The program mix and completion figures may suit adult students or career changers seeking a direct entry point into healthcare support roles, though program length and schedule details are not reported here and should be confirmed directly with the school. Prospective students should verify accreditation status with the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools and review current outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Valley Grande Institute offers five program families, most notably LPN / LVN programs (48 completers), medical assistant programs (16), and CNA classes (11).
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, with accreditation status listed as accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this campus participates in Title IV federal 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 completion rate is 80.0%, which is above the Texas state average of 63.5%.
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 reported at $33,472.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is reported at $17,905.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a private non-profit school, which can affect institutional priorities and cost structure compared to for-profit or public institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in this federal data; contact the school at (956) 973-1945 or visit https://vgi.edu/ to confirm.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools and review outcome data on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?443322.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The school's focus on short health-related credentials like LPN, medical assistant, and CNA training may suit adults seeking a direct entry point into healthcare, though specific fit details such as schedule flexibility are not reported.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Specific licensing or certification requirements are not reported in this federal data; contact the school directly to confirm requirements for programs like LPN or CNA.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Valley Grande Institute at (956) 973-1945 or via its website, https://vgi.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; use the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?443322 to compare similar 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.