Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting

Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting's graduates earn $75,955 in their first year—40% more than Tennessee's median for allied health programs and nearly $18,000 above the state's top-performing community college. This isn't just competitive; it's exceptional. Ranking in the 95th percentile both nationally and statewide, the program delivers earnings that place it among the elite tier of associate-level allied health training anywhere in the country.

The debt picture reinforces the value: $19,825 is roughly average for this field, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.26. Your child would need less than four months of gross income to cover their total educational debt—an unusually favorable position for a new graduate. While other Tennessee programs offer lower costs, none come close to matching these earnings outcomes. The $30,000+ earnings gap between Meridian and typical state programs creates long-term financial advantage that dwarfs any marginal savings on upfront costs.

The moderate sample size means individual outcomes will vary, but the pattern is clear: this program opens doors to higher-paying positions within allied health diagnostic work than competitors provide. For families prioritizing immediate earning power and manageable debt, Meridian represents an uncommonly strong return on a two-year investment.