Certificate (under 1 year)-2% vs national median218 grads tracked
Culinary, Entertainment, and Personal Services at Wharton County Junior College
Ranked 45th of 97 certificate (under 1 year) programs in Culinary, Entertainment, and Personal Services by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$23,487
middle 50%: $18,042 – $29,336
Median · 5 years out
$34,978
middle 50%: $25,452 – $49,645
Median · 10 years out
$32,639
middle 50%: $24,761 – $45,600
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Culinary, Entertainment, and Personal Services (certificate (under 1 year)) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
This certificate program in Texas yields a median starting salary of $23k. Five-year earnings reach $35k, while ten-year median pay settles at $33k.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
15.1 yrs
≈ $17,873 total interest
Same major at other universities
Lone Star College System
$36,097 · 5 yrs out
Greenville Technical College
$35,528 · 5 yrs out
Lee College
$35,466 · 5 yrs out
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
$35,184 · 5 yrs out
Pikes Peak State College
$35,115 · 5 yrs out
Trident Technical College
$35,098 · 5 yrs out
Clarendon College
$34,840 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Western Community College
$34,840 · 5 yrs out
Davis Technical College
$34,707 · 5 yrs out
Red Rocks Community College
$34,668 · 5 yrs out
Hocking Technical College
$34,606 · 5 yrs out
Berkshire Community College
$34,351 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Wharton County Junior College
Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$147,658 · 5 yrs out
Science Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$140,234 · 5 yrs out
Physical Science Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$133,973 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$86,887 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$74,416 · 5 yrs out
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Associate)
$72,884 · 5 yrs out
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs (Associate)
$71,728 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$71,212 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$71,212 · 5 yrs out
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$71,212 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Certificate)
$69,441 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$67,570 · 5 yrs out