Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe

Based on comparable programs in Arizona, this associate's degree would require roughly $31,400 in debt for first-year earnings around $47,400—a debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable on paper. However, there's a red flag in the actual data: by year four, reported earnings for this school's graduates drop to $33,850, well below both the Arizona median and what peer programs typically produce. That's unusual and concerning, as most graduates should see earnings growth, not a 29% decline.

The estimated debt load sits slightly above the state median of $29,360 and substantially higher than the national median of $19,825 for this field. When half of students receive Pell grants, that debt burden matters more. While similar programs at Carrington College and GateWay Community College in Arizona show first-year earnings in the $50,000-$54,000 range, this program's year-four outcomes suggest graduates may be underemployed or working part-time compared to peers who completed similar credentials elsewhere.

The downward earnings trajectory is the central issue here. If year-four earnings represent the actual career path for graduates, you're looking at debt equal to nearly a full year's salary for a medical assisting credential that similar programs typically deliver for less money. Before committing, investigate why this school's graduates appear to earn less over time than the state average would suggest—that's not a data estimation issue, but an actual reported outcome that deserves explanation.