Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at Butler Community College

Butler Community College's Health Services program lands right at Kansas's median for earnings, but that's not particularly reassuring—it means half of the state's similar programs do better. At $27,114 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about $5,700 less than the national median, placing this program in just the 15th percentile nationally. The debt load of $13,356 is manageable in absolute terms, translating to a monthly payment around $150, but it's steep relative to starting pay.

Here's the practical reality: these earnings suggest graduates are entering entry-level allied health positions rather than specialized clinical roles. With only four schools in Kansas offering this associate's degree, competition for mid-tier outcomes appears limited. The state context matters here—Kansas healthcare wages generally lag national averages, which partially explains the gap, but doesn't change the monthly budget constraints a graduate will face.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) makes these numbers less reliable than programs with larger cohorts. If your child has specific healthcare career goals, verify whether this program actually leads to the required certifications or credentials. For families weighing community college options, Butler's relatively low debt keeps the downside risk contained, but the earning potential suggests this works best as a stepping stone to further education rather than a terminal degree.