Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Florida Career College-Tampa

This program delivers concerning results that should give any parent pause. Graduates earn just $21,574 in their first year—landing in the 5th percentile nationally for medical assisting programs. While that improves slightly to the 25th percentile when compared only to Florida schools, it still means three-quarters of similar programs in the state produce better-earning graduates.

The debt burden of $9,500 isn't outrageous, but when paired with such low earnings, it creates a challenging financial picture. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 means graduates owe nearly half their annual salary right out of the gate. More troubling is the gap between this program and Florida's top performers—schools like Manatee Technical College and Miami Dade College are producing graduates who earn $35,000+ in their first year, roughly 65% more than Florida Career College-Tampa students.

The 15% earnings growth over four years offers some hope, but even at $24,719 after four years, graduates are still earning thousands less than first-year graduates from better programs. With 70% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are already financially vulnerable. For a medical assisting credential, there are clearly much stronger options available in Florida that would provide better return on investment and career prospects.