Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Central Lakes College-Brainerd

Based on comparable programs across Minnesota, this associate's degree appears to position graduates right at the state median for allied health and medical assisting, with estimated first-year earnings around $38,400. With estimated debt of $25,500, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 sits in reasonable territory—manageable but not exceptional. The challenge is that this program appears to be performing in the middle of the pack when other Minnesota community colleges are delivering stronger outcomes. Lake Superior College and Northland Community and Technical College, for instance, report actual earnings exceeding $42,000 for their graduates in this field.

The debt figure deserves scrutiny. At an estimated $25,500, it's higher than the national median of $19,825 for allied health programs, and closer to Minnesota's higher state median of $26,600. For a community college program, that's a significant load to carry into a field where first-year earnings hover in the upper $30,000s. Unlike programs where early earnings climb quickly, allied health roles tend to be more stable—what you earn initially is often close to what you'll earn for several years.

If your child is committed to allied health in the Brainerd area, understand you're likely looking at modest starting pay paired with above-average debt based on peer programs. Before committing, compare actual costs at nearby alternatives like Lake Superior or Northland, where graduates report meaningfully higher earnings and the investment may pencil out more favorably.