Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Looking at similar allied health programs across Georgia, this associate's degree appears positioned right at the state median with estimated first-year earnings around $40,100. While that beats the national median for this credential by about $3,200, it falls considerably short of what the state's top programs produce—Dalton State and Athens Technical College graduates earn $46,000 to $59,000 in comparable roles. The estimated debt load of $16,757 is notably lighter than both the state median ($24,849) and national median ($19,825), which helps offset the middle-tier earning potential.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 suggests manageable monthly payments, but parents should recognize they're looking at estimates built from a limited pool of peer programs rather than tracked outcomes from Abraham Baldwin's specific graduates. In practical terms, this means your child would likely start with monthly loan payments around $190 while earning roughly $3,340 monthly before taxes—tight but workable if they secure employment quickly in their field.

The value here hinges on execution: if your student can leverage this more affordable pathway into allied health and then pursue advancement opportunities or additional credentials, the lower debt provides flexibility. However, if they're aiming for immediate strong earnings, technical colleges like Athens Tech or Chattahoochee Tech show better first-year outcomes. Consider whether Abraham Baldwin's campus environment and location work for your family—sometimes the right fit matters more than an extra few thousand in starting salary.