Medical Assisting at Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen

Harlingen, TX · Private for-profit · Certificate · Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services

a compact campus enrolling 437 students in Harlingen, TX.

Program Analysis

At $21,645 per year, Medical Assisting graduates from Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen earn below the $31,622 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

AI risk is moderate — 28% task exposure — and the 21% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Medical Assisting graduates.

The median debt load of $9,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #936 out of 1,065 programs, Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen's financial outcomes for Medical Assisting trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $21,645 to $27,409 shows 27% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

With 11 registered apprenticeships mapped to Medical Assisting, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

49 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45
Low End
49
Score
49
High End
Earnings $21,645/yr (-32% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (252,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$286K
6.1% annual growth
Viable Career Paths
9 of 9
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
$9,500
5.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$27,409
27% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Medical Assisting graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620 +17.3% 52%
Occupational therapy assistants $68,340 +19.2% 73%
Physical therapist assistants $65,510 +22.0% 85%
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
$105,620
+17.3% growth 52% AI-proof
Occupational therapy assistants
$68,340
+19.2% growth 73% AI-proof
Physical therapist assistants
$65,510
+22.0% growth 85% AI-proof

View all 9 career paths with full salary data →

Medical Assisting Career Guide

Explore what Medical Assisting graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 1065 programs nationwide.

Read the full Medical Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Medical Assisting Overview

Medical Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen

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 49/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Medical Assisting at Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen?
A score of 49/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Medical Assisting. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
Is Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen a good choice for Medical Assisting despite lower starting pay?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Medical Assisting graduates?
If Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen's tuition gives you pause, consider that 11 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Medical Assisting. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
How many job openings are there for Medical Assisting graduates?
With approximately 252,100 annual openings across mapped careers, Medical Assisting offers a very large employment pool. Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →