Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Alexandria Technical & Community College

Medical assistant programs across Minnesota suggest first-year earnings around $38,400, which would put this program right at the state median—though several community colleges in the system report graduates earning $42,000 to $43,000. The estimated debt load of $25,500 creates a manageable 0.66 ratio, meaning borrowers would owe roughly eight months of their first year's salary. That's better than the national benchmark where typical debt reaches nearly $20,000 for programs paying slightly less.

The challenge here is that these figures are drawn from peer programs because Alexandria Tech's graduate cohort was too small to report publicly. While the state median provides a reasonable baseline, similar programs in Minnesota show a $5,000 earnings spread from top to bottom. Medical assisting roles often depend heavily on local healthcare markets—what graduates earn in the Twin Cities versus rural areas can differ substantially. Alexandria's location in a smaller market might affect actual outcomes compared to programs near major medical centers.

For families considering this path, the debt level appears reasonable if the earnings projection holds, but you're essentially betting on an average outcome from similar schools. Before committing, contact Alexandria Tech's career services directly for placement rates and actual employer connections in your area—their specific track record matters more than state-wide estimates when the data for this program isn't publicly available.