Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Genesis Career College-Lebanon

Genesis Career College's Allied Health program produces graduates earning $21,350 in their first year—roughly $6,000 below the Tennessee median for similar programs and among the lowest outcomes nationally. While the program sits at the 40th percentile statewide (meaning some Tennessee schools perform worse), it falls into the bottom 5% nationally. Even the state's top performers, like South College at $28,600, earn only modestly more than the national median, suggesting Tennessee's medical assisting field may offer limited upside compared to other regions.

The $9,500 debt load is manageable at face value, but context matters: it represents half a year's starting salary for a field where many graduates work entry-level positions. The modest 6% earnings growth over four years barely keeps pace with inflation, meaning graduates shouldn't expect significant income increases simply from experience. With over half of students receiving Pell grants, this is clearly serving a population that needs education to pay off quickly.

For parents, the question isn't whether their child can handle the debt—it's whether $22,500 annual earnings justifies the time and money investment. If medical assisting is the goal, exploring higher-performing Tennessee programs or investigating why this school lags behind state peers would be wise first steps.