Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degree) at Mercy College of Health Sciences

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$36,939

Est. from IA median (7 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$24,121

Est. from national median (65 programs)

Analysis

Similar Allied Health programs across Iowa suggest first-year earnings around $36,939, but the estimated $24,121 debt load here is notably higher than what peer programs typically generate—Iowa's median debt for this field sits at just $17,000. That gap matters: while a 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio technically falls within reasonable territory, you're looking at potentially $7,000 more debt than graduates from comparable programs in the state carry.

The real question is whether Mercy's specialized health sciences focus delivers advantages that justify the additional borrowing. Community colleges offering the same credential—North Iowa Area, Hawkeye, and Western Iowa Tech—report actual graduate outcomes ranging from $37,000 to over $44,000 in first-year earnings, often with lower debt burdens. Those programs provide concrete data points rather than estimates, which gives families clearer visibility into outcomes.

For a parent evaluating this program, the estimated figures don't reveal obvious red flags, but they don't show clear advantages either. Before committing, get specifics from Mercy about their actual graduate outcomes, job placement rates with Des Moines-area healthcare employers, and why their debt levels run higher than state norms. If they can't demonstrate tangible benefits over Iowa's community college options, those alternatives offer more transparent value propositions.

Where Mercy College of Health Sciences Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (13 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Mercy College of Health SciencesDes Moines	$17,328	$36,939*	—	$24,121*	—
North Iowa Area Community CollegeMason City	$6,436	$44,455*	$41,538	$17,000*	0.38
Hawkeye Community CollegeWaterloo	$6,308	$39,614*	$46,301	$20,716*	0.52
Western Iowa Tech Community CollegeSioux City	$5,042	$37,483*	$40,280	$13,750*	0.37
Kirkwood Community CollegeCedar Rapids	$5,980	$36,939*	$35,277	$18,616*	0.50
Indian Hills Community CollegeOttumwa	$4,872	$36,313*	$42,909	$19,316*	0.53
National Median	—	$36,862*	—	$19,825*	0.54

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with allied health and medical assisting services graduates

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

$66,050/yrJobs growth:

Surgical Technologists

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

$62,480/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Physical Therapist Assistants

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

$60,050/yrJobs growth:

Medical Assistants

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

$44,200/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Pharmacy Technicians

Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.

$43,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.

Histology Technicians

Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.

Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other

All health technologists and technicians not listed separately.

Neurodiagnostic Technologists

Conduct electroneurodiagnostic (END) tests such as electroencephalograms, evoked potentials, polysomnograms, or electronystagmograms. May perform nerve conduction studies.

Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.

Healthcare Support Workers, All Other

All healthcare support workers not listed separately.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Mercy College of Health Sciences, approximately 34% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 7 similar programs in IA. Actual outcomes may vary.