Paramedic Programs in the Rio Grande Valley Area
3 accredited programs train paramedics in the Rio Grande Valley area. Here is how their graduates do on the NREMT exam, how many find jobs, and what each publishes as its cost.
The Short Version
- South Texas College, Health Science Professions reports the highest NREMT exam rate in the area, 91.7% (2025), against a Texas program median of 87.0%.
- Results vary widely: Texas Southmost College reports 57.0%, 35 points below the area's best.
- Only South Texas College, Health Science Professions publishes a total cost ($6,577 to $8,083); the others list per-credit tuition or nothing.
- Paramedics around Rio Grande Valley earn a median of $47,670, 17% below the Texas median of $57,500.
- Texas Southmost College is below CoAEMSP's benchmark or on probation; see its page for details.
These lines are generated from the numbers on this page and change when the data does.
Every Paramedic Program in the Area
Highest NREMT exam rate first. Tap a program for its full outcomes, cost breakdown and sources. 2
| Program | NREMT exam rate | Job placement | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Texas College, Health Science Professions AAS or certificate, McAllen | 91.7% | 92.3% | $6,577 to $8,083 |
| Texas State Technical College, Harlingen AAS or certificate, Harlingen | 86.4% | 70.4% | Not published |
| Texas Southmost College AAS, Brownsville | 57.0% | 89.0% | Not published |
Jobs and Pay in the Rio Grande Valley Area
About 190 paramedics work in the Rio Grande Valley area. The middle half earn between $41,690 and $57,540 a year; new graduates usually start toward the lower end. Texas expects about 580 openings a year statewide through 2034, from new positions, retirements and people changing jobs, with the number of jobs growing 21.7% (from 8,530 to 10,370).
Other Career Programs in the Rio Grande Valley Area
How to Read These Numbers
Graduates who passed the National Registry (NREMT) paramedic cognitive exam, as the program reports it to CoAEMSP. Some programs report first-attempt results and some report passing within three attempts; each page says which when the program does. Job placement: graduates employed in EMS or a related field, or in the military or further education ("positive placement"), as the program reports it to CoAEMSP. All Texas paramedic programs
Sources and Dates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Paramedics (29-2043), May 2025 estimates.
- Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (programs accredited by CAAHEP) (CoAEMSP), checked Nov. 2026.
- South Texas College, Health Science Professions: outcomes, Program page lists 2021 to 2025.
- Texas State Technical College, Harlingen: outcomes, Outcomes page modified Aug 24, 2026; lists 2021 to 2025.
- Texas Southmost College: outcomes, Program page lists 2023 to 2025.
- South Texas College EMS program page, Verified with Financial Services and EMS Program, June 10, 2025.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Texas and metro areas (employment and wage percentiles), May 2025 estimates.
- Texas Workforce Commission, long-term occupational projections, 2024 to 2034.
Every number was checked against its source on Nov. 4, 2026. Spot an error? Report it. Program Outcomes is independent and not affiliated with any school or CoAEMSP. Our independence policy