Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Cuyahoga Community College District

Cuyahoga Community College's medical assisting program offers something rare in Ohio: reasonable debt and earnings that actually beat most in-state competitors. With graduates earning $38,335 in their first year while carrying just $17,500 in debt—well below Ohio's typical $21,542—this ranks in the 60th percentile among Ohio's 53 programs. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 means you'd pay back roughly five months' salary, a manageable burden that gives graduates breathing room.

The earnings plateau is worth noting: income barely budges from year one to year four, staying around $39,000. This isn't a field where you rapidly climb the salary ladder. The top Ohio programs at Cincinnati State and various Kent State campuses push closer to $41,000, showing there's some variation in outcomes even within the same state. Still, Cuyahoga delivers better value than half the state's programs while keeping debt lower than average.

For a two-year degree, this represents a practical entry point into healthcare that won't bury your child in debt. Just understand you're paying for stability and quick workforce entry rather than dramatic income growth—graduates at year four aren't earning substantially more than they did fresh out of school.