Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers

Graduates from this program earn nearly $14,000 less per year than the typical allied health graduate in Tennessee—and earnings actually *decline* by 19% over the first four years. With a starting salary under $28,000 that drops to about $23,000, these outcomes place this program in the bottom quarter statewide. The top-performing Tennessee programs in this field pay roughly double what graduates here earn.

The comparison is particularly stark when you look at nearby alternatives. Chattanooga State Community College, just across town, reports graduate earnings of $45,000+. Even accounting for potential differences in student populations (90% of students here receive Pell grants), the $17,000 gap is substantial. The modest debt load of $21,000 might seem manageable at first glance, but when your income is declining toward $23,000 annually, even moderate debt becomes burdensome.

The small sample size means individual circumstances could be skewing these numbers, but the pattern is concerning enough to warrant serious exploration of alternatives. Before committing, your child should compare job placement specifics, credential types, and whether local healthcare employers recognize this program's credentials as readily as those from the nearby community colleges.