Accounting at Southern Careers Institute-Austin

Austin, TX · Private for-profit · Certificate · Accounting and Related Services

a compact campus enrolling 1,079 students in Austin, TX.

Program Analysis

At $22,081 per year, Accounting graduates from Southern Careers Institute-Austin earn below the $35,807 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Some AI exposure exists in Accounting's career paths, with 62% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 18% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $8,507 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #155 of 176 Accounting programs, Southern Careers Institute-Austin falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $22,081 to $27,062 over five years — a 23% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Accounting offers 5 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

52 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45
Low End
52
Score
54
High End
Earnings $22,081/yr (-38% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (38% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (451,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$281K
5.2% annual growth
Viable Career Paths
13 of 14
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Median Debt at Graduation
$8,507
4.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$27,062
23% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Accounting graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Financial managers $161,700 +14.8% 50%
Financial risk specialists $106,000 +6.5% 47%
Financial and investment analysts $101,350 +5.7% 54%
Financial managers
$161,700
+14.8% growth 50% AI-proof
Financial risk specialists
$106,000
+6.5% growth 47% AI-proof
Financial and investment analysts
$101,350
+5.7% growth 54% AI-proof

View all 14 career paths with full salary data →

Accounting Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Accounting careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering business & office.

Read the full Accounting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Accounting Overview

Accounting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Southern Careers Institute-Austin

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 52/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Accounting at Southern Careers Institute-Austin?
A score of 52/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Southern Careers Institute-Austin trails the majority of Accounting programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Will AI affect Accounting careers?
AI exposure of 62% is a real factor. For Southern Careers Institute-Austin specifically, the gap between optimistic ($280,560) and pessimistic ($231,017) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
Why are Accounting earnings lower at Southern Careers Institute-Austin?
Starting salary is one data point. If Southern Careers Institute-Austin's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Accounting program at Southern Careers Institute-Austin?
There are 5 registered apprenticeships connected to Accounting occupations, such as Accounting Technician (Alternate Title: Accounting Specialist) and Accounting Technician (Alternate Title: Accounting Specialist, Payroll Assistant Specialist). The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Accounting graduates?
The very large job market (451,900 annual openings) works in favor of Accounting graduates. The national outlook is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →