Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Lone Star College System

Lone Star College's Allied Health program starts slow but finishes strong. While first-year earnings of $38,534 trail the Texas state median by nearly $6,000 (placing it in the 40th percentile statewide), graduates see robust 34% income growth by year four, reaching $51,431—comparable to some of the top programs in the state. That trajectory matters: it suggests graduates are building real skills and advancing into better-paying roles rather than plateauing in entry-level positions.

The debt picture makes this growth story more compelling. At $14,000, borrowing runs well below both the state median ($21,000) and national median ($19,825), keeping the debt-to-earnings ratio at a manageable 0.36. Even with the slower start, graduates can reasonably expect to pay down their loans while their earning potential accelerates. Among Texas programs, this represents one of the lighter debt loads you'll find.

The trade-off is clear: your child may earn less initially than peers at higher-ranked Texas programs like San Jacinto or Kilgore, but they'll graduate with significantly less debt and see meaningful salary progression. For families prioritizing affordable entry into healthcare careers with room to grow, that's a reasonable path—just understand the first year or two will require financial discipline.