Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degree) at Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$36,350

Est. from MO median (11 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$24,121

Est. from national median (65 programs)

Analysis

Similar programs across Missouri suggest first-year earnings around $36,350 for allied health graduates, positioning this program squarely at the state median. What makes this less straightforward is the estimated debt load of $24,121—noticeably higher than Missouri's typical $17,932 for this field and above the national median as well. That 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio means borrowing roughly eight months of first-year salary, manageable on paper but worth scrutinizing given how much less debt students carry at comparable programs nearby.

The earnings estimate comes from 11 Missouri programs in this field, and the reality is that outcomes vary significantly within the state. Top performers like Concorde Career College-Kansas City ($49,878) and State Technical College of Missouri ($41,050) demonstrate that allied health credentials can launch stronger, while community colleges like Metropolitan Community College and Jefferson College achieve similar earnings to this estimate with substantially lower debt. The question becomes whether Central Methodist's private-college environment justifies the additional borrowing when community college alternatives exist throughout the state.

For an associate's degree in a field where credentials matter more than institutional prestige, the estimated debt premium here deserves serious consideration. If your student can access one of Missouri's community college programs with reported outcomes in the $37,000-$40,000 range and debt closer to $18,000, that's likely the clearer path. If Central Methodist offers specific advantages—schedule flexibility, smaller classes, particular clinical partnerships—run the numbers carefully against what you'd actually borrow.

Where Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (26 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and SciencesFayette	$27,140	$36,350*	—	$24,121*	—
Concorde Career College-Kansas CityKansas City	—	$49,878*	$52,302	$27,000*	0.54
State Technical College of MissouriLinn	$7,830	$41,050*	$43,080	$12,000*	0.29
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas CityKansas City	$3,630	$39,842*	$51,274	$26,214*	0.66
Ozarks Technical Community CollegeSpringfield	$4,184	$38,770*	$40,702	$14,747*	0.38
Jefferson CollegeHillsboro	$4,500	$37,137*	$42,691	$16,600*	0.45
National Median	—	$36,862*	—	$19,825*	0.54

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with allied health and medical assisting services graduates

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

$66,050/yrJobs growth:

Surgical Technologists

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

$62,480/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Physical Therapist Assistants

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

$60,050/yrJobs growth:

Medical Assistants

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

$44,200/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Pharmacy Technicians

Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.

$43,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.

Histology Technicians

Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.

Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other

All health technologists and technicians not listed separately.

Neurodiagnostic Technologists

Conduct electroneurodiagnostic (END) tests such as electroencephalograms, evoked potentials, polysomnograms, or electronystagmograms. May perform nerve conduction studies.

Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.

Healthcare Support Workers, All Other

All healthcare support workers not listed separately.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, approximately 37% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 11 similar programs in MO. Actual outcomes may vary.