Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at Black River Technical College

Black River Technical College's health sciences certificate costs $13,064 and leads to first-year earnings of nearly $40,000—a manageable 0.33 debt ratio that beats many healthcare programs nationally. That said, the small graduating class (under 30 students) means these figures could shift significantly year to year, and you're looking at data that might reflect just a handful of successful graduates rather than a reliable pattern.

The earnings here match Arkansas's state median exactly for this credential, placing graduates solidly in the middle of the pack locally. However, two Arkansas community colleges—NorthWest and East Arkansas—report outcomes over $50,000 for similar programs, raising questions about whether this particular certificate opens doors to the same healthcare roles. With 40% of Black River students receiving Pell grants, the modest debt load matters, but the earnings gap compared to top state programs is substantial enough to warrant investigation into which specific healthcare positions graduates typically enter.

For families prioritizing affordability and quick workforce entry, the numbers work—you're not gambling with crushing debt. But before enrolling, verify what healthcare roles this certificate actually qualifies for and whether those $50,000+ outcomes at nearby schools come from different specializations (like nursing credentials) that might justify shopping around.