True College Verdict
F

Southern Careers Institute-Waco

Waco, TX · 185 undergraduates · 73% receive Pell Grants
For-profitMainly certificates

Among the weakest of its kind. Look at alternatives before enrolling. It ranks 1,879 of 1,952 certificate schools on student outcomes, with an overall score of 23.5 out of 100.

Is it affordable?
No
Average net price $22,465 a year after grants. Typical for similar colleges: $17,716.
Will most students finish?
About half
46% graduate within 8 years. Typical for similar colleges: 71%.
Is it worth the price?
Likely
Graduates owe a typical $9,500 against earnings of $31,200, a ratio of 0.30. Under 0.4 is comfortable; over 0.7 is heavy.

These three answers are rules of thumb from the numbers below, not advice for any one student or major.

Student reviews are coming soon

We are rebuilding how students share their experiences, so for now this page shows only the federal numbers and our written summaries. Check back soon.

Why it is good

Nothing stands out as clearly better than similar colleges.

Why it is bad

  • Only 46% of students graduate. 82% of certificate schools do better.
  • Many students leave early: only 59% of first-year students return for a second year.
  • Low pay: typical earnings ten years after starting are $31,200, lower than 73% of certificate schools.
  • Debt is heavy for the pay: graduates owe a typical $9,500 in federal loans against earnings of $31,200.
  • Expensive: the average student pays about $22,465 a year after grants, more than at 68% of certificate schools.

The numbers

What these figures measure

Graduation rate: share of all students, full-time or part-time, who finish within 8 years. Return for year 2: share of first-time, full-time students who come back for a second year. Earnings: median pay about 10 years after starting, for students who received federal aid. Debt: median federal loan debt among those who finish. Net price: average yearly cost after grants and scholarships. All from the U.S. Education Department College Scorecard, institution file dated November 2, 2026.

Graduation rate
46%
Better than 18% of similar colleges. Typical: 71%
Return for year 2
59%
Better than 17% of similar colleges. Typical: 77%
Earnings after 10 years
$31,200
Better than 27% of similar colleges. Typical: $36,576
Debt at graduation
$9,500
Better than 28% of similar colleges. Typical: $9,500
Net price per year
$22,465
Better than 32% of similar colleges. Typical: $17,716
Published tuition
n/a
Before any aid

Programs and early earnings

Certificates and diplomas: largest programs

FieldGraduates a yearEarnings, 2 yrs afterDebt
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services66$18,838$9,500
Precision Metal Working27$24,201$7,125
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers24n/a$7,125

Earnings are the median pay two years after completing, for graduates who were working and not enrolled again. The federal government hides figures for small programs, shown as n/a. Fields are broad groups, so a college may offer several majors inside one.

Students and reviews

Numbers cannot tell you about teaching, dorms or campus life. Student reviews and questions are coming soon to this site. In the meantime, other sources:

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The grade reflects outcomes for the average student compared with other certificate schools. Individual majors can be much better or worse.