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Wharton County Junior College
Wharton, Texas · Public community college
Address: 911 Boling Hwy, Wharton, TX 77488 · Phone: (979) 532-4560 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Wharton County Junior College is a public trade and career school in Wharton, Texas, offering EMT & paramedic training, HVAC, and cosmetology programs, accredited by SACS and program-specific bodies.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Wharton County Junior College has a 27.3% completion rate versus a 63.5% state average, with median graduate debt of $7,703 and median earnings of $44,960 ten years after entry.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Wharton County Junior College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used, and about 27.4% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency medical technicians | $30,320 | $37,260 | $44,240 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $38,100 | $57,760 | $69,860 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $23,580 | $30,680 | $47,180 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $48,910 | $62,240 | $68,410 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $29,360 | $48,310 | $62,270 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,380 | $53,340 | $64,770 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $48,550 | $78,630 | $93,830 |
| Medical assistants | $31,200 | $39,520 | $46,180 |
| Dental hygienists | $71,530 | $99,240 | $107,320 |
| Medical records specialists | $34,440 | $48,860 | $63,970 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 50 | $34,046 | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 45 | $43,826 | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 41 | $17,839 | $12,961 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 31 | $43,826 | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 25 | not reported | not reported | $8,750 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 21 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 19 | $41,514 | $38,289 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 12 | not reported | $52,941 | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 12 | $59,148 | $59,485 | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | 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
Wharton County Junior College is a public community college in Wharton, Texas, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, with additional program-specific accreditation from bodies including the Commission on Dental Accreditation, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, and the Commission for Nurse Education Accreditation. Because the college participates in Title IV, students can use federal financial aid such as FAFSA and Pell Grants. The campus awards trade and career credentials across 14 program families, most often in EMT & paramedic training, HVAC, and cosmetology, alongside programs in LPN, auto mechanics, welding, radiology technology, medical assisting, dental hygiene, and medical billing and coding.
Federal data show a completion rate of 27.3%, below the state average of 63.5% for similar programs. Median debt among graduates is $7,703, and median earnings ten years after entry are $44,960. About 27.4% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With 291 trade-program completers among 4,585 undergraduates, located in a distant town setting, the college offers a mix of short-term certificate programs and longer associate-level tracks, which may suit both recent graduates and adult career changers, though program length details beyond family names are not reported for this campus in federal data. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status directly with the listed accrediting bodies and review outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Wharton County Junior College offers 14 program families, most notably EMT & paramedic training, HVAC, and cosmetology, along with LPN, auto mechanics, welding, radiology technology, medical assisting, dental hygiene, and medical billing and coding.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, with additional program-level accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, and the Commission for Nurse Education Accreditation.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, the school participates in Title IV federal aid programs, so students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants. About 27.4% of students at this campus receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 27.3%, which is below the state average of 63.5%, per federal data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt among graduates is $7,703, according to the College Scorecard.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are $44,960, per federal data.
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 directly for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Wharton County Junior College is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition for in-state residents and eligibility for state and federal funding programs.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (979) 532-4560 or visit wcjc.edu for program schedules.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation status with the listed accrediting bodies and review outcome data directly on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?229841.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Specific licensing requirements are not reported in this data; contact the school directly to learn about certification or licensure tied to each program.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Wharton County Junior College at (979) 532-4560 or through its website, https://www.wcjc.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on other nearby schools is not included in this dataset; check the College Scorecard to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across institutions.
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.