Median Earnings (1yr)
$40,458
66th percentile
60th percentile in Georgia
Est. Median Debt
$16,757
Est. from GA median (3 programs)

Analysis

Solid earnings in a stable field help offset what looks like modest debt, though the numbers here require some context. Chattahoochee Technical College's allied health program reports first-year earnings of $40,458, climbing to $45,635 by year four—above both national and state medians for this field. The estimated debt of $16,757, based on comparable Georgia technical college programs, would represent less than half of first-year income, a manageable ratio that most financial aid advisors would consider reasonable.

The challenge is that other Georgia technical colleges with reported data show a wide range—from $37,476 to $58,734 in first-year earnings—suggesting that program structure, clinical partnerships, or local job markets make a significant difference. Without actual debt figures specific to Chattahoochee Tech graduates, it's hard to know if students here are borrowing more or less than the state average used for this estimate. Allied health is generally a safe bet for community college credentials, but the 13% earnings growth over four years is modest compared to programs where specialized skills command premium pay over time.

For parents, this looks like a practical investment—estimated debt that's manageable against reliable healthcare sector wages. The real question is whether this particular program connects students to the higher-paying opportunities some peer schools achieve, or settles closer to the median. Talk to recent graduates about job placement and debt loads before assuming the estimates hold.

Where Chattahoochee Technical College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Chattahoochee Technical College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Chattahoochee Technical College$40,458$45,635+13%
Athens Technical College$46,123$58,028+26%
South University-Savannah$39,761$43,365+9%
Herzing University-Atlanta$34,039$33,930-0%
Gwinnett College-Lilburn$29,031$31,106+7%

Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (27 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Chattahoochee Technical CollegeMarietta$3,252$40,458$45,635$16,757*—
Dalton State CollegeDalton$3,283$58,734—$16,757*0.29
Athens Technical CollegeAthens$3,172$46,123$58,028—*—
Albany State UniversityAlbany$5,934$46,061—$24,626*0.53
South University-SavannahSavannah$18,238$39,761$43,365$30,694*0.77
Lanier Technical CollegeGainesville$3,716$37,476$28,553$11,000*0.29
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 Chattahoochee Technical College, approximately 33% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 21 graduates with reported earnings and 10 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.