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Panola College
Carthage, Texas · Public community college
Address: 1109 W Panola Street, Carthage, TX 75633 · Phone: (903) 693-2000 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Panola College is a public trade and career school in Carthage, Texas, offering LPN/LVN, welding, and cosmetology programs, accredited by SACS.
Panola College has a 43.5% completion rate, below the Texas state average of 63.5%, with median graduate debt of $10,500 and median earnings of $36,072 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school for current tuition. Panola College participates in federal financial aid (Title IV), and about 30.8% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $48,910 | $62,240 | $68,410 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,380 | $53,340 | $64,770 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $23,580 | $30,680 | $47,180 |
| Medical assistants | $31,200 | $39,520 | $46,180 |
| Medical records specialists | $34,440 | $48,860 | $63,970 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $30,320 | $37,260 | $44,240 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Texas (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 48 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 40 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 40 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 23 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | $32,546 | $20,140 | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | $32,546 | $20,140 | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Panola College is a public community college in Carthage, Texas, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, with additional program-level accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy. The school participates in federal financial aid programs (Title IV), meaning students may use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants to help pay for enrollment. Its trade and career training programs span 11 program families, with the highest completer counts in LPN/LVN programs, welding, and cosmetology.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 43.5%, which is below the Texas state average of 63.5%. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $10,500, and median earnings 10 years after entry were reported at $36,072. About 30.8% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of low-income enrollment. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
Panola College's programs, particularly its short-cycle offerings like welding and cosmetology alongside its LPN track, may suit students seeking direct entry into skilled trades or healthcare support roles, though program length details are not specified here. Adults considering a career change should review each program's specific format directly with the school. To verify accreditation status and outcomes independently, consult the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard or contact the college directly.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Panola College offers 11 program families, with the most completers in LPN/LVN programs, welding schools, and cosmetology schools.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Panola College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, with additional program-level accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, Panola College participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA-based aid including Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 43.5%, which is below the Texas state average of 63.5%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $10,500, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $36,072.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (903) 693-2000 or visit https://www.panola.edu/ for current tuition.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Panola College is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition for in-state residents and eligibility for state-supported aid programs.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation and outcomes through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?227386.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The presence of shorter career-focused programs like welding and cosmetology alongside LPN training may appeal to career changers, but specific scheduling and format details are not reported in this data; contact the school to confirm fit.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Panola College at (903) 693-2000 or through its website, https://www.panola.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools offering the same trades is not reported in this data; consult the College Scorecard to compare institutions directly.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.