Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Lorain County Community College

Lorain County Community College's Allied Health program starts below average but tells an encouraging growth story. While first-year earnings of $33,693 trail both the Ohio median ($35,365) and national average by about $3,000, graduates see a solid 27% earnings bump by year four, reaching $42,704—well above state and national medians. This upward trajectory suggests the program provides skills that compound in value as graduates gain experience and potentially move into supervisory or specialized roles.

The debt picture requires careful consideration. At $26,750, borrowing here exceeds both state ($21,542) and national ($19,825) norms for this field by roughly $5,000-$7,000. However, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.79 remains manageable, and strong earnings growth helps offset the higher borrowing. Notably, this program sits in the 21st percentile for debt nationally—meaning 79% of similar programs carry even more debt burden.

For families weighing options, this represents a reasonable community college pathway with room for advancement, though not the strongest in Ohio. Cincinnati State's graduates earn $41,891 in year one—a meaningful difference. If your child is committed to staying local in the Lorain County area, this program delivers decent outcomes with career momentum. If commuting to Cincinnati or a Kent State campus is feasible, those alternatives offer stronger starting salaries that could justify the comparison shopping.