Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Anoka-Ramsey Community College

Anoka-Ramsey graduates earn more than their peers at most Minnesota medical assisting programs, but they're carrying significantly higher debt than typical for this field. With median earnings of $44,219 four years out, this program outperforms the Minnesota median by about $6,000—landing graduates near the 60th percentile statewide. That's solid performance, though still trailing specialized technical colleges like Lake Superior and Northland by several thousand dollars annually.

The concern is the debt load. At $29,000, graduates here borrow roughly $9,000 more than the state median and nearly $10,000 above the national average for medical assisting programs. That puts this program in the 8th percentile nationally for debt—meaning 92% of similar programs leave students with less to repay. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 isn't catastrophic, but it means graduates spend their first year earning less than what they owe, which can strain budgets in an already modestly-paid field.

The earnings growth is encouraging—a 12% increase over four years suggests career progression—but this remains a support role with middle-income wages. For families comfortable with $29,000 in debt for a healthcare career that starts near $40,000, this works. But if your student can access similar training at Anoka Technical College next door (same earnings, $2,400 less debt) or pursue Northland's stronger-earning program, those options deserve consideration before committing to this debt level.