Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Colby Community College

Carrying $17,000 in debt against estimated first-year earnings around $44,000 creates a manageable debt burden—roughly 38 cents owed for every dollar earned in year one. While these figures are estimates based on comparable allied health programs across Kansas rather than tracked outcomes from Colby specifically, they suggest a reasonably balanced investment. The estimated earnings align with the state median and fall within the upper range nationally, where three-quarters of similar programs produce first-year salaries below $42,544.

The trajectory from estimated first-year earnings to a reported $49,937 by year four indicates steady income growth, which matters when you're repaying loans. Kansas programs in this field cluster fairly tightly in the mid-$40,000s for early-career earnings, with Colby's estimates landing in the competitive middle. The debt load appears lower than both state and national medians for these programs, though without actual graduate outcomes from this specific program, there's inherent uncertainty about what your child's experience would actually look like.

For a family weighing this choice: the estimated numbers point to a workable return, but you're betting on Colby's program performing similarly to peer schools. If your child has acceptance offers from Hutchinson or Washburn—schools with reported earnings data showing slightly higher outcomes—comparing financial aid packages becomes critical to making the most informed choice.