Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Carrington College-Boise

Carrington's Allied Health program produces first-year earnings of $40,794, which outperforms most similar programs nationally and in Idaho. The challenge lies in the estimated debt load of $25,563—considerably higher than what most Idaho students at peer institutions carry (where the state median is $15,055). While Carrington College doesn't report actual debt figures for this cohort due to small sample size, this estimate is drawn from national data across similar institutions, and it creates a meaningful cost differential compared to community college alternatives in the state.

The earnings trajectory shows steady growth to $45,817 by year four, which helps offset that initial debt burden. With nearly half of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are banking on healthcare careers to provide economic mobility. A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63 is manageable in absolute terms—graduates should be able to handle their loan payments on these salaries—but the comparison to North Idaho College (where grads earn $45,672 right out of the gate) or even Idaho State raises questions about whether the premium price tag delivers proportional value.

The real decision hinges on factors this data can't capture: program completion rates, clinical placement quality, and whether Carrington's private college structure offers scheduling flexibility or support services that justify the higher estimated cost. If your student needs those features and can reasonably expect to match these earnings, the investment pencils out. If they have access to a community college option with comparable job placement, that's likely the smarter financial path.