Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Cleveland University-Kansas City
Associate's Degree
cleveland.eduAnalysis
Is $24,000 in debt manageable for an allied health associate's degree? The answer hinges on earnings that—based on five Kansas programs—sit around $44,000 in the first year. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 is reasonable enough in theory, but Cleveland University-Kansas City's estimated debt load runs about $4,600 higher than the typical Kansas program in this field. With more than half of students qualifying for Pell grants, that extra borrowing matters.
The earnings estimate aligns with Kansas norms for medical assisting programs, though community colleges like Hutchinson and Washburn report outcomes closer to $45,000-$48,000 with substantially lower debt burdens. Cleveland University-Kansas City operates as a private institution, which typically means higher tuition than public alternatives. Whether that premium delivers value—through smaller class sizes, flexible scheduling, or better clinical placements—isn't reflected in these numbers.
Given the uncertainty around these estimates and the presence of lower-cost options in Kansas, the financial case here depends heavily on factors this data can't capture. If Cleveland University-Kansas City offers specific advantages that justify the higher debt, it may work for your family. Otherwise, the community college programs with reported outcomes around $44,000-$48,000 and median debts closer to $19,500 represent a clearer value proposition for entering the allied health field.
Where Cleveland University-Kansas City Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Kansas
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Kansas (19 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $14,400 | $44,217* | — | $24,121* | — | |
| $3,420 | $48,347* | — | $19,500* | 0.40 | |
| $9,578 | $45,386* | $45,676 | $22,566* | 0.50 | |
| $3,968 | $44,217* | — | $10,500* | 0.24 | |
| $3,150 | $42,823* | $47,071 | $14,500* | 0.34 | |
| $15,340 | $35,350* | $32,985 | $26,612* | 0.75 | |
| National Median | — | $36,862* | — | $19,825* | 0.54 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with allied health and medical assisting services graduates
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Surgical Technologists
Physical Therapist Assistants
Medical Assistants
Pharmacy Technicians
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
Histology Technicians
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other
Neurodiagnostic Technologists
Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other
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 Cleveland University-Kansas City, approximately 57% 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 5 similar programs in KS. Actual outcomes may vary.