Trade and career programs at Southwest Texas College
Certificate and associate programs in the trades we track. One-year earnings are for graduates of 2020-21 and 2021-22, four-year earnings for graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, both in 2024 dollars.
| Program | Credential | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LPN and CNA | Certificate | 148 | $28,674 | $38,643 | $8,000 |
| Welding | Certificate | 121 | $35,168 | $34,752 | n/a |
| Auto and diesel mechanic | Certificate | 71 | $45,926 | $43,874 | n/a |
| HVAC | Certificate | 50 | n/a | $34,179 | n/a |
| Cosmetology and barbering | Certificate | 24 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| EMT, surgical tech and imaging | Certificate | 17 | $33,005 | $34,591 | n/a |
| HVAC | Associate degree | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Welding | Associate degree | 3 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Auto and diesel mechanic | Associate degree | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| EMT, surgical tech and imaging | Associate degree | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Southwest Texas College cost
| Tuition and fees (2025-26) | $2,646 |
|---|---|
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $13,208 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $3,130 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $2,030 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $2,811 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $4,711 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $8,558 |
| Over $110,000 | $11,649 |
Program prices often differ from the school-wide figure, and tools, uniforms or licensing exams can add to them. Ask the school for the full price of the program you want.
Outcomes and students
- 31% of first-time, full-time students finished within 150% of the normal program length (students who started in fall 2022 or the 2022-23 year).
- 58% of first-time students came back or finished after the first year.
- Former students earned a median of $40,786 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $6,500 in federal student loans.
- 38% of students receive a federal Pell Grant.
- Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Southwest Texas College cost?
Tuition and fees are $2,646 a year (2025-26). After grants, aided students paid an average net price of $3,130 in 2024-25.
What is the completion rate at Southwest Texas College?
31% of first-time, full-time students finished within 150% of the normal time for their program.
How much do Southwest Texas College graduates earn?
Auto and diesel mechanic certificate graduates had the highest median earnings of the programs we track: $45,926 one year after finishing.
Is Southwest Texas College accredited?
Southwest Texas College is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, according to the Department of Education.
Other trade schools nearby
- St Philip's College, San Antonio: $3,412 a year
- Texas State Technical College, Waco: $8,544 a year
- Midland College, Midland: $3,180 a year
- Lee College, Baytown: $2,520 a year
- The College of Health Care Professions-Northwest, Houston: $18,400 a year
- Grayson College, Denison: $3,052 a year
More: all trade schools in Texas · Southwest Texas College on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (institution and field of study files), data release of October 15, 2026. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working, not enrolled. What each figure covers.