Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degree) at East Arkansas Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$41,060

Est. from AR median (3 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$16,867

Est. from AR median (3 programs)

Analysis

Borrowing $16,867 for an allied health credential is manageable when similar Arkansas programs point toward $41,000 in first-year earnings—a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41 that falls comfortably within sustainable territory. Based on comparable associate's programs in the state, graduates could reasonably expect to pay off their loans within a few years while establishing themselves in medical assisting or related clinical support roles. The estimated earnings also align with the state median for this field, suggesting East Arkansas Community College's program tracks with typical outcomes across Arkansas.

However, the range among Arkansas programs is worth noting: NorthWest Arkansas Community College reports considerably higher earnings at $52,397, while Arkansas Tech's graduates start around $36,000. Geographic factors likely explain much of this variation—medical assistants in Northwest Arkansas's expanding healthcare market may command higher salaries than those in rural areas. For students committed to staying in the Forrest City region, the estimated $41,000 benchmark may be optimistic depending on local healthcare employment opportunities.

The bottom line: if your child plans to work in Arkansas's healthcare sector and the estimated figures hold, this program offers reasonable financial footing. Just recognize that these are projections based on peer institutions, not guaranteed outcomes, and actual earnings will depend heavily on where in the state they land their first job.

Where East Arkansas Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Arkansas

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Arkansas (10 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
East Arkansas Community CollegeForrest City	$3,960	$41,060*	—	$16,867*	—
NorthWest Arkansas Community CollegeBentonville	$2,982	$52,397*	—	—*	—
Arkansas State UniversityJonesboro	$7,754	$41,060*	$47,207	$16,867*	0.41
Arkansas Tech UniversityRussellville	$8,508	$35,961*	$40,439	$20,860*	0.58
National Median	—	$36,862*	—	$19,825*	0.54

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with allied health and medical assisting services graduates

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

$66,050/yrJobs growth:

Surgical Technologists

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

$62,480/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Physical Therapist Assistants

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

$60,050/yrJobs growth:

Medical Assistants

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

$44,200/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Pharmacy Technicians

Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.

$43,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.

Histology Technicians

Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.

Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other

All health technologists and technicians not listed separately.

Neurodiagnostic Technologists

Conduct electroneurodiagnostic (END) tests such as electroencephalograms, evoked potentials, polysomnograms, or electronystagmograms. May perform nerve conduction studies.

Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.

Healthcare Support Workers, All Other

All healthcare support workers not listed separately.

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 East Arkansas Community College, 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 3 similar programs in AR. Actual outcomes may vary.