Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Lewis-Clark State College

Based on comparable programs across Idaho, this associate's degree appears to position graduates near the middle of the state's allied health spectrum—with estimated first-year earnings of $39,000 sitting comfortably above the national median for this field. The estimated $15,000 in debt is notably lower than the national typical burden of nearly $20,000, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 that suggests graduates could realistically pay off their loans within a year or two of focused repayment.

The challenge is context: Idaho's allied health programs show a $13,000 earnings gap between top and bottom performers, and without actual outcome data from Lewis-Clark State, you're making a decision based on state averages rather than this program's specific track record. North Idaho College's graduates, for instance, reportedly earn $7,000 more in their first year—a meaningful difference when you're starting a healthcare career. The suppressed data here isn't a red flag about program quality; small graduate cohorts are common at regional schools. But it does mean you're working with less certainty.

For families prioritizing manageable debt and reasonable earnings expectations in allied health, the estimated numbers suggest solid value. Just recognize you're betting on Lewis-Clark State performing somewhere near Idaho's median—not necessarily matching the stronger programs that report actual outcomes above $40,000.