Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Arkansas Tech University

Arkansas Tech's medical assisting program falls short of what other Arkansas schools deliver. At $35,961 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about $5,000 less than the state median for this program—landing in just the 40th percentile among Arkansas schools. That gap matters when you consider that NorthWest Arkansas Community College graduates in the same field start at over $52,000.

The debt load of $20,860 is actually higher than the state median of $16,867, despite the weaker earnings outcome. The 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming, but it's less favorable than what students at competing Arkansas programs are achieving. Earnings do grow by 13% to $40,439 by year four, which is solid progression, though it still doesn't close the gap with stronger in-state options.

For parents weighing this program, the question is straightforward: Why pay more debt for below-average Arkansas outcomes? Unless there are compelling geographic or personal reasons to attend Arkansas Tech specifically, other state programs offer better value. At minimum, compare financial aid packages carefully and understand that graduates here typically start $5,000-$15,000 behind their peers at other Arkansas schools.