Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Herzing University-Birmingham

At $34,000 starting, Herzing-Birmingham's medical assisting program sits in an awkward middle ground—beating Alabama's median by about $2,000 (60th percentile statewide) but falling short of the national benchmark. More concerning: graduates earn essentially the same amount four years later, while nearby Jefferson State's graduates earn nearly 40% more out of the gate. The $29,500 debt load is higher than what students carry at most competing programs in Alabama, where the typical debt is around $20,500.

Here's the practical challenge: while the 0.87 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming by itself, you're paying private-school prices for outcomes that community colleges deliver at much lower cost. Jefferson State and several other public options in Alabama produce graduates who start at $37,000-$48,000 with less debt. The flat earnings trajectory suggests limited advancement opportunities within medical assisting roles, which makes that upfront debt harder to justify.

If your child is set on this field and strongly prefers Herzing's format or location, the numbers work—the debt is manageable on these salaries. But Alabama's community college system offers demonstrably better value for the same credential, with Jefferson State leading the pack at nearly 50% higher starting earnings. Unless there are compelling personal reasons for Herzing specifically, explore the public alternatives first.