Analysis
Based on comparable allied health programs in Washington, Edmonds College's associate degree appears positioned right at the state median, with estimated first-year earnings around $43,425 and debt near $18,220. This debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 sits in a manageable range, though it's worth noting that several other Washington community colleges—Tacoma, Highline, and Spokane Falls among them—report stronger actual outcomes for their graduates in similar fields.
The challenge here is uncertainty. With both earnings and debt figures derived from peer programs rather than Edmonds-specific data, you're making decisions based on what happens at other schools, not what this particular program delivers. Washington's allied health programs show significant variation, with top performers seeing graduates earn $58,000 or more while others cluster closer to the $43,000 mark. Without knowing where Edmonds actually falls in that spectrum, you're essentially betting on an average outcome.
If your student is already connected to this program—through location, scheduling, or faculty relationships—the estimated numbers don't raise red flags. But if choosing between Washington community colleges purely on outcomes, you'd want actual data showing Edmonds can compete with programs like Tacoma or Highline that have documented stronger graduate earnings. The median position suggested by these estimates represents reasonable value, but not compelling value when other options report better results.
Where Edmonds College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Washington
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Washington (29 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,669 | $43,425* | — | $18,220* | — | |
| $4,920 | $58,382* | $64,947 | $18,220* | 0.31 | |
| $4,623 | $50,468* | $41,572 | $7,197* | 0.14 | |
| $4,058 | $47,797* | $43,444 | $21,000* | 0.44 | |
| $5,156 | $45,385* | $39,641 | $20,335* | 0.45 | |
| $5,146 | $44,573* | $40,006 | $19,660* | 0.44 | |
| 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 Edmonds College, approximately 15% 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 15 similar programs in WA. Actual outcomes may vary.