Analysis
The debt burden here tells a better story than the earnings trajectory. At $12,627, this program's typical debt sits well below both the national median for associate-level health professions ($17,930) and tracks with the Massachusetts state average. That's meaningful for a field where keeping credential costs low can make the difference between a sustainable career start and financial strain.
The earnings picture is trickier to assess. First-year income is estimated at around $35,000 based on peer programs nationally, which matches the median for associate health degrees. But the four-year mark of $39,457 shows limited growth—less than $4,300 over three years. For context, health professions associate degrees show wide variation in outcomes depending on the specific concentration. Medical assistants, dental hygienists, and surgical techs all fall under this umbrella with vastly different earning potential. Without knowing which track Berkshire's graduates typically pursue, it's hard to gauge whether that $39,000 figure represents early-career stability or a ceiling.
The manageable debt works in this program's favor—you're looking at roughly five months of first-year earnings to pay off what students typically borrow. But before committing, nail down which specific health career this program leads to and what those roles actually pay in the Berkshire County job market. Associate health degrees can be excellent investments or dead ends depending entirely on specialization.
Where Berkshire Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health professions associates's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berkshire Community College | — | $39,457 | — |
| American Public University System | $41,350 | $51,205 | +24% |
| Monroe Community College | $35,765 | $44,497 | +24% |
| Chattanooga State Community College | $36,180 | $39,058 | +8% |
| Ozarks Technical Community College | $26,962 | $38,517 | +43% |
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Health Professions associates's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Berkshire Community CollegePittsfield | $5,612 | $35,232* | $39,457 | $12,627 | — |
 Goodwin UniversityEast Hartford | $21,198 | $48,291* | — | $39,835 | 0.82 |
 American Public University SystemCharles Town | $8,400 | $41,350* | $51,205 | $8,358 | 0.20 |
 Chattanooga State Community CollegeChattanooga | $4,550 | $36,180* | $39,058 | $22,513 | 0.62 |
 Monroe Community CollegeRochester | $5,856 | $35,765* | $44,497 | $12,950 | 0.36 |
 Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids | $13,630 | $35,232* | — | $17,930 | 0.51 |
| National Median | — | $35,232* | — | $17,930 | 0.51 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Berkshire Community College, approximately 36% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 9 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.