Southern Careers Institute

What Southern Careers Institute does

Southern Careers Institute (SCI) is a Texas-based private career and technical education institution founded in 1960 and headquartered in Austin. It operates eight campuses statewide — Austin, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Harlingen, Pharr, San Antonio North, San Antonio South, and Waco — organized into seven schools covering Technology, Business, Allied Health, Nursing, Beauty, Trades, and Commercial Driving. Its portfolio spans certificate, diploma, and Associate of Applied Science programs priced from $1,200 (Nurse Aide, 100 clock hours) to $22,100 (AAS in Management, 1,080 clock hours), with most programs in the $13,950–$18,450 band.

The institution delivers instruction through a hybrid model combining physical classroom and lab instruction with an online learning platform that supports fully online completion for programs such as Business Administration and Medical Billing and Coding. Supporting technology includes the SCI Career Hub (job postings, resume building, interview prep, employer networking) and Career Skills Badges (digital representations of mastered competencies shareable to student profiles and resumes). SCI holds institutional accreditation from the Council on Occupational Education, Title IV federal financial aid eligibility (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), and state approvals from the Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Veterans Commission, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and is an authorized testing site for the National Health Career Association and Certiport.

SCI is a direct-to-consumer education provider serving individual students — primarily career-focused adults, recent high school graduates, and active-duty military and veterans using GI Bill benefits — via phone-based admissions (1.833.SCI.TEXAS), online enrollment, and campus visits. Revenue is generated predominantly through tuition and fees, with the federal financial aid system functioning as a key underwriting mechanism. Employer relationships (e.g., Artemis Health, St. David's HealthCare, UnitedHealth Group for Medical Assistant placements) support placement but are not a direct revenue line. The institution has no disclosed parent company, external ownership, or funding round history, and revenue figures are not publicly reported.

Name

Southern Careers Institute

Legal name

Southern Careers Institute

Website

https://scitexas.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Southern Careers Institute is a Texas-based private career and technical education institution operating eight campuses statewide, delivering certificate, diploma, and associate-degree programs across technology, business, allied health, nursing, beauty, trades, and commercial driving to career-focused individual students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational and Career Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Computer Training (611420), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Community Colleges (Applied/CTE-Focused) (EDAHADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Workforce & Career Transition Noncredit Programs (EDAAAEAC), Industry Credential, Certification & Badge Prep (Non-Degree) (EDAMAKAH), Community College / Training Provider Workforce Pathways Programs (EDAAAOAO), Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit) (EDAHADAG)

Keywords

• Vocational training
• Career education
• Technical diploma programs
• Healthcare training
• Trade school

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Students pay tuition for diploma/certificate programs and associate degree programs. Tuition varies by program, ranging from $1,200 for Nurse Aide to $22,100 for Associate in Applied Science in Management. Additional fees include registration and program-specific equipment fees.
2. Financial Aid Administration: As an accredited institution, SCI participates in federal financial aid programs including Pell Grants, Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans, PLUS Loans, and Federal Work Study. Also accepts military education benefits (GI Bill chapters 30, 31, 33, 35, 1606).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Southern Careers Institute is a Texas-based career and technical education institution that delivers diploma, certificate, and Associate of Applied Science degree programs across seven schools (Technology, Business, Allied Health, Nursing, Beauty, Trades, Commercial Driving). Training is delivered through hybrid in-person and online instruction, supplemented by hands-on labs, externships, and bundled certification exam preparation (e.g., CompTIA, CCMA, EPA 608, MOS, Texas cosmetology licensure). Supporting services include the SCI Career Hub for job placement, Career Skills Badges for competency signaling, and financial aid administration covering federal Pell Grants, Direct Loans, military GI Bill benefits, and institutional scholarships.

Product overview

Southern Careers Institute (SCI) is a Texas-based career training institution offering a diverse portfolio of vocational and degree programs across multiple schools. The institution operates as a unified training platform organized into Schools of Technology (Computer Science, Cyber Security, Data Science, Software Development, UI/UX Design), Business (Administrative Assistant, Business Accounting, Business Administration, Management), Allied Health (Medical Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Office, Pharmacy Technician, Healthcare Management), Nursing (RN and Nurse Aide), Beauty (Cosmetology, Esthetician), Trades (Automotive, Electrical, HVAC, Welding), and Commercial Driving (CDL-A). Supporting the training programs are supplementary services including SCI Career Hub for job placement support, online learning platform for remote education, financial aid assistance, and career skills badge system. The institution serves students through eight physical campuses across Texas (Austin, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Harlingen, Pharr, San Antonio North, San Antonio South, and Waco) with accreditation from the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Associate of Applied Science in Computer Science Management Two-year associate degree program combining technical expertise with problem-solving skills, covering programming, front-end and back-end development, databases, cloud deployment, AI, and machine learning to prepare students for technology careers.
• Computer Support Specialist Training program preparing students to provide technical assistance to end-users, covering troubleshooting, software installation, network administration, and preparation for CompTIA A+ and related certifications. 720 clock hours, $13,950 total program cost.
• Cyber Security Program training students to protect computers, networks, and information from unauthorized access, covering security foundations, networking, cryptography, access management, and threat analysis. 700 clock hours, $15,800 total program cost.
• Data Science Training program teaching statistical analysis, machine learning, data visualization, and programming with R and Python to prepare students for data-driven decision-making roles. 700 clock hours, $15,800 total program cost.
• Software Developer Full stack development training program covering front-end frameworks, back-end foundations, database management, and agile project management to prepare students for software development careers. 700 clock hours, $15,800 total program cost.
• UI/UX Designer Design-focused program teaching user interface and user experience design, covering ideation, strategy, wireframes, sitemaps, coding basics, and prototyping with industry tools like Figma and Adobe XD.
• Administrative Assistant Training program covering accounting foundations, customer service, business communication, and executive assisting skills with preparation for Microsoft Office Specialist certifications. 650 clock hours, $13,950 total program cost.
• Associate of Applied Science in Management Associate degree program focusing on supervising workers, managing operations, establishing policies, professional business communication, and teamwork skills. 1,080 clock hours, $22,100 total program cost.
• Business Accounting Specialist Program training students in recording financial transactions, preparing financial statements, payroll processing, and financial reporting with preparation for QuickBooks and related certifications. 806 clock hours, $18,450 total program cost.
• Business Administration Online program covering business law, management principles, human resources, entrepreneurship, financial management, and marketing with 240 lab hours and 80 externship hours. 800 clock hours, $18,450 total program cost.
• Associate of Applied Science in Healthcare Management Online associate degree program combining business principles with healthcare management courses, preparing graduates for administrative and leadership roles in healthcare organizations; completable in as little as 51 weeks.
• Medical Assistant Comprehensive training program with 320 lab hours and 178 externship hours covering vital signs, EKG, phlebotomy, clinical procedures, and preparation for 6 career certifications including CCMA and CMAA. 978 clock hours, $18,450 total program cost; completable in as little as 9 months.
• Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Program teaching medical billing procedures, ICD-10 and CPT coding, electronic health records, and insurance processing with 290 lab hours and 146 externship hours. 926 clock hours, $18,450 total program cost.
• Medical Office Specialist Training program preparing students for administrative roles in healthcare settings, covering patient records management, scheduling, and communication with preparation for CMAA certification. 780 clock hours, $16,450 total program cost.
• Pharmacy Technician Program training students to work alongside pharmacists, covering medication preparation, dosage calculations, pharmacy law, and pharmaceutical calculations for Texas licensure. 848 clock hours, $18,450 total program cost.
• Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Associate degree nursing program preparing students for registered nurse licensure through comprehensive classroom and clinical training in patient care.
• Nurse Aide Certificate program training students in basic nursing skills, patient care, and healthcare support for work in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. 100 clock hours, $1,200 total program cost ($12.00 per hour).
• Cosmetology Operator Program training students in hair, skin, and nail care techniques for licensure as cosmetologists, including hands-on salon experience at The Salon and Spa at SCI. 1,000 clock hours, $18,800 total program cost including $100 other fees.
• Esthetician Certificate program focusing on skincare treatments, facials, hair removal, and skin care services for licensure as an esthetician.
• Automotive Service Technician Training program covering automotive repair, maintenance, diagnostics, and technical skills for careers in automotive service departments.
• Electrical Technician Program training students in electrical systems, wiring, safety practices, and technical skills for careers in electrical installation and maintenance. 720 clock hours, $14,210 total program cost including $260 other fees.
• HVAC Training program covering heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems with preparation for EPA 608 certification and industry employment. 942 clock hours, $20,025 total program cost.
• Welding Program teaching welding techniques including MIG, TIG, and stick welding with hands-on training for careers in fabrication and construction. 700 clock hours, $14,250 total program cost including $300 other fees.
• CDL-A Commercial Driver's License Class A training program preparing students for trucking industry employment with 160 clock hours of instruction. Total program cost $5,500 including $200 other fees and $70 registration.
• SCI Career Hub Online platform providing job search tools, resume building assistance, interview preparation resources, and employer networking access for students and graduates.
• Online Learning Platform Digital learning platform offering flexible online courses with mentoring support, IT services, and accessibility for students balancing education with other commitments; certain programs such as Business Administration and Medical Billing and Coding available fully online.

Quantifiable outcome

• Programs designed to be completed in as little as 9 months (Medical Assistant)
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Local Texas employers and industriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCI maintains close relationships with many Texas industries and national partners. Students connect with employers at community career fairs. Career services team works with local employers to match graduate skills with job opportunities.
• Artemis Health, Austin Health Partners, BCHC, St. David's HealthCare, UnitedHealth GroupminorOthersMedical Assistant graduates have been hired by these healthcare organizations. Employers are not incentivized by SCI to hire graduates.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Milan Institute: For-profit vocational school offering programs in allied health, beauty, trades, and business across multiple campuses — overlapping with SCI's cosmetology, trades, and allied health schools.
• UEI College: For-profit career education provider focused on skilled trades, healthcare, and business programs with hybrid learning — directly comparable in program mix, accreditation approach, and target student segment.
• Fortis College: For-profit career college network offering diploma and associate degree programs in nursing, healthcare, skilled trades, and business — overlapping closely with SCI's program structure and Title IV-funded enrollment model.
• Pima Medical Institute: Multi-campus for-profit career college focused primarily on healthcare programs (medical assisting, nursing, pharmacy tech) with similar Title IV-funded tuition model and accreditation profile to SCI's allied health and nursing schools.
• ECPI University: For-profit institution offering technology, healthcare, and business programs with hybrid delivery and accelerated formats — closely comparable to SCI's School of Technology and School of Business.
• Remington College: For-profit career college network offering diploma and associate programs in healthcare, business, criminal justice, and trades — matches SCI's multi-vertical for-profit career training profile.
• Lincoln Tech: For-profit multi-trade career training institution offering automotive, HVAC, welding, electrical, and healthcare programs across multiple U.S. campuses — directly comparable to SCI's School of Trades and Allied Health verticals.
• Concorde Career Colleges: For-profit career college system concentrated in healthcare and dental programs with hybrid on-ground and online delivery — comparable to SCI's allied health and nursing portfolio.

Regional players

• Vista College: Texas-based for-profit career school offering diploma and degree programs in business, healthcare, technology, and trades — competes with SCI in overlapping Texas geographies and program categories.
• College of Health Care Professions (CHCP): Texas-based for-profit career college specializing in allied health and nursing programs with multiple Texas campuses — directly competes with SCI in the same Texas metros and same healthcare verticals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/scitexasedu
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SCITexasEdu
• Facebookfacebook.com/SCITexas
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/southern-careers-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/southerncareersinstitute

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Southern Careers Institute