Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Lewis and Clark Community College

Lewis and Clark Community College's allied health program punches above its weight nationally while keeping debt remarkably low. Graduates earn $32,224 in their first year—outperforming 84% of similar programs nationwide and landing solidly above the national median of $27,186. More impressively, the total debt burden averages just $6,360, roughly a third of what most students pay elsewhere for this credential.

The Illinois comparison adds important nuance. While this program ranks in the 60th percentile statewide (decent but not elite), Illinois medical assisting programs generally pay well above the national average. The top programs in the state push toward $40,000, but they likely come with higher costs and potentially more competitive admissions. At Lewis and Clark, your child would owe about $6,300 less than the state median debt while still earning close to Illinois's typical salary for this field.

The 0.20 debt-to-earnings ratio translates to real breathing room: roughly three months of gross income to repay the entire certificate cost. For a credential that leads to steady healthcare work, this represents a low-risk entry point into the medical field. If your child is certain about medical assisting and prefers staying closer to the Godfrey area, this program delivers solid value without the financial stress that often accompanies healthcare training.