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Environmental Technology at Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen

Harlingen, TX · Private for-profit · Certificate · Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians

a smaller institution with 437 students in Harlingen, TX.

Program Analysis

Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen's Environmental Technology graduates start at $32,421/yr, trailing the $38,197 national average by 15%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 10% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Environmental Technology career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,500 in median debt clears fast against $32,421 in annual earnings.

A #53 ranking among 63 Environmental Technology programs places Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $32,421 to $36,986 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

The 30 apprenticeship pathways connected to Environmental Technology reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

46 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
44
Low End
46
Score
48
High End
Earnings $32,421/yr (-15% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (68,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$378K
3.4% annual growth
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
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
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,986
14% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Environmental Technology graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other $77,390 +1.5% 76%
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers $59,810 +8.1% 89%
Environmental engineering technologists and technicians $58,890 +1.2% 59%
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other
$77,390
+1.5% growth 76% AI-proof
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
$59,810
+8.1% growth 89% AI-proof
Environmental engineering technologists and technicians
$58,890
+1.2% growth 59% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Environmental Technology Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Environmental Technology — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen and 62 other schools.

Read the full Environmental Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Environmental Technology Overview

View all 63 schools offering Environmental Technology →

Environmental Technology at Other Schools

Front Range Community College ($70,888) High Plains Technology Center ($67,935) New England Institute of Technology ($53,135) North Dakota State College of Science ($50,780) Mitchell Technical College ($50,685) Ranken Technical College ($50,187) Riverside City College ($48,911) Ferris State University ($48,795)

Other Majors at Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen

Precision Metalworking ($25,077) Health Administration ($23,883) Accounting ($22,081) Medical Assisting ($21,645) Business Operations Support ($18,214)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Environmental Technology degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen's Environmental Technology program score?
At 46/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Environmental Technology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
How affordable is Environmental Technology at Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen?
Median debt of just $9,500 against $32,421/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 4 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Is Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen a good choice for Environmental Technology 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 Environmental Technology graduates?
Beyond Southern Careers Institute-Harlingen's classroom route, 30 registered apprenticeships map to Environmental Technology careers — including Additive 3D Printing Technician. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Is there demand for Environmental Technology workers?
The career paths mapped to Environmental Technology have roughly 68,200 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Demand is driven by ongoing digital transformation and technology adoption.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →