Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Des Moines Area Community College

Des Moines Area Community College's allied health program delivers strong first-year earnings of $38,511—landing in the 95th percentile nationally and comfortably ahead of Iowa's median of $32,840. The debt load of $12,834 is reasonable, resulting in a manageable 0.33 debt-to-earnings ratio that parents should find reassuring. Among Iowa's 18 programs, this ranks around the 60th percentile, meaning it's performing solidly within the state though not at the very top.

The significant concern here is the earnings trajectory: graduates earn 19% less four years out than they did initially, dropping to $31,130. This isn't necessarily a red flag for allied health roles, which can see shifts as graduates move between clinical settings or adjust their hours, but it's worth understanding whether this reflects part-time work patterns or limited advancement opportunities in medical assisting specifically.

Given the small sample size (under 30 graduates), these numbers may not fully represent typical outcomes. That said, the strong starting salary and low debt suggest this program gets graduates job-ready quickly without financial strain. For a parent evaluating certificate programs, the initial return looks solid—just recognize that medical assisting may not offer the same upward earnings potential as some other allied health pathways.