Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Albany State University

Albany State's allied health graduates earn $46,061 their first year out—substantially more than the national median of $36,862 and solidly above Georgia's state median of $40,110. While not matching top performers like Dalton State, this program places in the 85th percentile nationally and delivers strong outcomes for a school where two-thirds of students receive Pell grants. The earnings advantage over state and national peers is meaningful—roughly $6,000 more annually than typical Georgia programs.

The debt load of $24,626 sits right at Georgia's median for this field, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53. This means graduates owe about half their first-year salary, which is manageable given their relatively strong starting wages. With monthly payments likely around $275 on a standard 10-year plan, graduates should have breathing room in their budget—a meaningful consideration for first-generation college students and those from lower-income backgrounds who predominate at this institution.

For families evaluating this program, the value proposition is straightforward: you're getting above-average earnings outcomes at typical debt levels. The gap between what Albany State graduates earn versus what most allied health programs deliver nationally makes this a solid investment, particularly for students who might not have access to technical colleges like Dalton State or Athens Tech. The program demonstrates that comprehensive universities can compete effectively in vocational healthcare training.