Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Clark College

Clark College's Allied Health program shows an unusual pattern: graduates start above the national median but slip below Washington's state average, particularly troubling when stronger options exist nearby. At $41,100 in first-year earnings, graduates outpace the national benchmark by $4,200, but they're already trailing the Washington median by over $2,000—and that gap matters when peers at Tacoma Community College are earning nearly $60,000 and even similar-sized programs like Highline and Spokane Falls deliver $47,000-$50,000.

The 8% earnings decline from year one to year four is the real concern here. While graduates carry manageable debt—just $11,634, less than half the typical burden for this program—the downward earnings trajectory suggests limited advancement opportunities or difficulty transitioning to better-paying roles. That salary drop could reflect structural issues with how this particular program prepares students for career progression in Washington's healthcare market.

For families comparing options in the Vancouver area, this program won't bury you in debt, but it's clearly not extracting the full earning potential available to allied health graduates in Washington. If your student can access Tacoma Community College or one of the stronger regional programs, those extra $6,000-$17,000 in annual earnings compound significantly over a career. Clark's program works as an affordable entry point to healthcare, but understand you're choosing convenience over optimization.