Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Holmes Community College

Holmes Community College graduates its medical assisting students into wages that outperform three-quarters of similar programs nationwide—a significant achievement for a Mississippi community college. First-year earnings of $42,578 nearly match the national 75th percentile, while the state ranking (60th percentile) reflects Mississippi's relatively strong performance in this field overall. Among the nine in-state programs, Holmes sits comfortably above the state median and trails only Itawamba and Pearl River at the community college level.

The financial fundamentals look sound. With debt under $20,000 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46, graduates can realistically manage their loans while building stable healthcare careers. The 15% earnings growth over four years suggests meaningful career progression rather than a static entry-level track. For families concerned about educational costs—and with 42% of students receiving Pell grants, many are—this represents a manageable path into Mississippi's healthcare workforce.

This program delivers what community college healthcare training should: market-rate wages, reasonable debt, and room for advancement. It won't lead the state in earnings, but it provides a reliable entry point into medical assisting without the financial strain that undermines many associate degree programs.