Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Lake Area Technical College

Lake Area Technical College graduates its allied health students with notably less debt than most programs—$14,510 versus the national median of nearly $20,000—while maintaining solid earning potential. Within South Dakota, this program ranks at the 60th percentile for earnings, performing slightly better than the state median and placing competitively against the four other schools offering this degree in the state. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 is reasonable for an associate's degree, meaning most graduates could realistically pay off their loans within a few years of entering the workforce.

The earnings trajectory shows healthy growth, with median pay increasing 17% from $35,932 to $41,864 between years one and four. While first-year earnings sit just below the national median for this program, the lower debt load offsets any concern about earning slightly less out of the gate. The combination of below-average borrowing and above-state-median outcomes creates a relatively safe bet for South Dakota residents planning to work in-state after graduation.

For families prioritizing affordability in healthcare education, this program delivers what matters most: manageable debt and steady income growth in a stable field. The numbers suggest graduates can enter the workforce without the financial strain common to many allied health programs.