Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at College of Central Florida

The debt-to-earnings picture here looks reasonable—graduates earn $37,554 in their first year while carrying an estimated $16,166 in loans, based on comparable associate programs at Florida community colleges. That 0.43 ratio means debt equals roughly five months of gross pay, which is manageable territory for a healthcare credential that typically leads to steady employment. The actual debt for this specific program could be higher or lower, but this estimate suggests the financial burden won't be crushing.

What's less encouraging is where these graduates land relative to nearby alternatives. First-year earnings sit in the middle of the pack nationally but trail the stronger community college programs in Florida by $3,000-$13,000 annually. Santa Fe College and St Petersburg College—both public institutions like College of Central Florida—produce graduates earning $42,710 and $41,802 respectively. That gap matters when you're entering a field where credentials are similar and starting salaries set the trajectory for years to come.

For parents weighing this program, the central question is whether location or other factors make College of Central Florida the right fit despite the earnings difference. The estimated debt load won't derail your child's finances, but comparable Florida programs appear to deliver better early-career outcomes. If transferring or commuting to a higher-performing community college is feasible, the earnings data suggests that's worth serious consideration.