Medical Assisting at Southern Careers Institute-Austin

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

a smaller institution with 1,079 students in Austin, TX.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $21,645/yr fall 32% below the $31,622 national median for Medical Assisting. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 21% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Medical Assisting career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $9,500 in median debt against $21,645 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #908 ranking among 1,065 Medical Assisting programs places Southern Careers Institute-Austin in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 27% earnings increase from $21,645 to $27,409 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

The 11 apprenticeship pathways connected to Medical Assisting reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

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

What can you do with a Medical Assisting credential from Southern Careers Institute-Austin? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Medical Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Medical Assisting Overview

Medical Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Southern Careers Institute-Austin

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 49/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Medical Assisting at Southern Careers Institute-Austin?
At 49/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Medical Assisting programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is Southern Careers Institute-Austin a good choice for Medical Assisting despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Southern Careers Institute-Austin may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Are there apprenticeship options for Medical Assisting?
There are 11 registered apprenticeships connected to Medical Assisting occupations, such as Ambulance Attendant (Emt) and Health Care Sanitary Technician. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Will Medical Assisting graduates from Southern Careers Institute-Austin find jobs?
Job availability for Medical Assisting is strong — 252,100 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Southern Careers Institute-Austin graduates specifically, local market conditions in TX may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →