Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Medical Institute of Palm Beach

The relatively low debt here—$7,832 versus a state median of $9,500—is offset by a troubling earnings trajectory. While Medical Institute of Palm Beach graduates start above both state and national averages at $28,406, earnings drop to $23,874 by year four. That 16% decline is concerning, especially when comparable programs at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College show first-year earnings above $34,000. Among Florida's 99 programs in this field, this one ranks solidly in the middle (60th percentile), but the top performers are earning 40-50% more than graduates here make in year four.

The debt burden is manageable—representing less than three months of first-year salary—and 40% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting the school serves lower-income families. But the real question is why earnings decline so steeply. Are graduates moving into lower-paying positions, leaving healthcare work entirely, or does the certificate not provide the skills needed for career advancement? With strong sample size backing these numbers, this pattern is real and repeatable.

For families comparing options, those higher-earning programs at nearby community colleges offer both better starting salaries and, presumably, more sustainable career paths. Unless there's a compelling scheduling or location reason to choose this program, the evidence suggests looking elsewhere in South Florida's competitive healthcare training market.