Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Colorado Mesa University
Associate's Degree
coloradomesa.eduAnalysis
Similar allied health programs in Colorado suggest first-year earnings around $43,500—a solid starting point that tracks with what other accessible programs in the state produce. Medical assistants and allied health workers typically face strong demand in regional healthcare markets, and Grand Junction's location as a hub for western Colorado's medical services could work in graduates' favor. The estimated $17,600 in debt sits notably below both the state and national medians for these programs, giving this credential a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 that compares favorably to peer schools.
What makes interpretation challenging here is that Colorado Mesa's actual outcomes remain unpublished due to small cohort size, while some in-state competitors like Concorde Career College-Aurora report significantly higher earnings ($49,680). That $6,000 gap matters when you're starting a healthcare career, though it's unclear whether those differences reflect program quality, local job markets, or the types of positions graduates pursue. Community colleges in the state cluster tightly around $42,000-$43,000, suggesting the estimates here align with reasonable expectations.
The conservative debt load is this program's clearest advantage. For a student certain about entering allied health work and planning to stay in western Colorado's medical facilities, this represents a manageable path into a stable field—but acknowledge you're making that investment with limited visibility into this specific program's track record.
Where Colorado Mesa University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Colorado
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Colorado (17 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9,712 | $43,514* | — | $17,606* | — | |
| — | $49,680* | $52,717 | $30,347* | 0.61 | |
| — | $44,175* | $45,661 | $27,292* | 0.62 | |
| $4,308 | $42,853* | $40,389 | $21,303* | 0.50 | |
| $4,883 | $42,297* | $39,418 | $17,335* | 0.41 | |
| 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 Colorado Mesa University, approximately 27% 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 4 similar programs in CO. Actual outcomes may vary.