Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Houston Community College

Houston Community College's Allied Health program shows stronger national than state performance—ranking in the 75th percentile nationwide but only 40th percentile within Texas. At $42,459 starting, graduates earn above the national median but trail the Texas median by about $1,700. For context, top Texas programs like Western Technical College and San Jacinto start closer to $52,000-54,000, suggesting HCC students may be entering lower-paying segments of the allied health field or different geographic markets within the Houston area.

The financial picture is manageable though not exceptional. With $24,562 in median debt (above both state and national averages), the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 means graduates carry about seven months of their first year's salary in loans. What makes this more workable is the 29% earnings growth to $54,572 by year four—one of the stronger growth trajectories in this field. That progression suggests opportunities for specialization or advancement, though it's worth noting the sample size is moderate, so individual outcomes may vary.

For families weighing in-state options, this program offers a reliable entry into allied health at a reasonable cost, especially given HCC's accessibility (37% Pell recipients). However, if your student can access one of Texas's higher-performing programs—particularly at other community colleges with similar affordability—the $10,000+ difference in starting salary could offset any additional costs within the first year.