Medical Assisting at Southern Careers Institute-Waco

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

a smaller institution with 205 students in Waco, TX.

Program Analysis

Southern Careers Institute-Waco's Medical Assisting graduates start at $21,645/yr, trailing the $31,622 national average by 32%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Some AI exposure exists in Medical Assisting's career paths, with 28% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 21% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,500 in median debt clears fast against $21,645 in annual earnings.

Ranked #958 of 1,065 Medical Assisting programs, Southern Careers Institute-Waco falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $21,645 to $27,409 over five years — a 27% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Medical Assisting offers 11 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Medical Assisting careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering healthcare.

Read the full Medical Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Medical Assisting Overview

Medical Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Southern Careers Institute-Waco

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Medical Assisting at Southern Careers Institute-Waco?
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-Waco 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.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Medical Assisting program at Southern Careers Institute-Waco?
Beyond Southern Careers Institute-Waco's classroom route, 11 registered apprenticeships map to Medical Assisting careers — including Ambulance Attendant (Emt). Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
How many job openings are there for Medical Assisting graduates?
Job availability for Medical Assisting is strong — 252,100 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Southern Careers Institute-Waco graduates specifically, local market conditions in TX may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →