Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Hutchinson Community College

Hutchinson Community College's allied health program delivers earnings well above what most medical assisting graduates see nationally—$48,347 versus a national median of just $36,862. That's a significant premium, placing graduates in the 91st percentile nationwide. The $19,500 in typical debt translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40, meaning graduates can realistically pay off their loans in under a year of focused repayment.

The Kansas context tells a more nuanced story. While this program excels nationally, it sits at the 60th percentile among Kansas schools, where medical assisting programs generally perform stronger than the national average. Still, Hutchinson's graduates earn more than the state median of $44,217 and match the debt load typical across Kansas programs. Among the state's top performers, only Washburn edges ahead by a small margin.

For a two-year investment, this program offers solid fundamentals: manageable debt paired with above-average starting earnings in a field with steady demand. The earnings advantage over typical medical assisting programs nationwide suggests either stronger employer connections or better preparation for higher-paying positions within the field. It's a practical pathway to stable employment without the financial burden that derails many graduates.