Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Blackhawk Technical College

Blackhawk Technical College's allied health certificate graduates start strong, earning $37,193—well above Wisconsin's median of $34,484 and nearly $10,000 more than the national median. At just $7,743 in debt, students here borrow roughly 30% less than peers statewide, creating an exceptionally low debt burden (21% of first-year earnings). However, these figures come from a very small graduating cohort, making them less reliable than data from larger programs.

The concerning pattern is the earnings decline: graduates see their median income drop 8% by year four, falling to $34,091. This isn't unusual in medical assisting, where entry-level clinical support roles often hit a ceiling without additional credentials. Still, even with this dip, graduates remain ahead of the national benchmark and competitive with top Wisconsin programs like Western Technical College ($36,437) and Moraine Park ($36,255).

For a family seeking affordable healthcare training, the math works—low debt and solid starting pay create minimal financial risk. The earnings trajectory suggests this certificate functions best as a stepping stone rather than a terminal degree, but that's manageable when you're not weighed down by heavy loans. Just remember that the small sample size means individual outcomes could vary more than usual.