Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Idaho State University

Idaho State's Allied Health program produces graduates who earn slightly above the national median but fall short within Idaho, where the state median sits at $39,000. At 40th percentile statewide, this program underperforms alternatives like North Idaho College ($45,672) and Carrington College-Boise ($40,794) by significant margins—graduates could be leaving $8,000 or more annually on the table by choosing ISU over stronger in-state options.

The modest debt load of $17,750 initially looks manageable with a first-year salary of $37,157, but earnings actually slip to $35,975 by year four—a troubling 3% decline when most careers show growth. This backward trajectory suggests limited advancement opportunities in the roles these graduates enter, potentially medical assisting positions with narrow pay bands. While the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 isn't catastrophic, it's hampered by both below-median state earnings and no earnings momentum.

For Idaho families, the math is straightforward: other state programs deliver better outcomes for similar or lower debt. Unless ISU offers specific geographic convenience for your student or unique clinical partnerships that translate to better job placement in your area, you'd be wise to explore North Idaho College or other top performers first. The combination of middling earnings and declining pay makes this a questionable investment when stronger alternatives exist in-state.