Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Milan Institute-Amarillo

Milan Institute-Amarillo charges relatively little for its Allied Health program—just $7,711 in median debt, well below both state and national averages—but delivers earnings that tell a more complicated story. Graduates earn around $25,000 annually, which places this program in the 60th percentile among Texas medical assisting programs. That's above the state median, meaning it actually outperforms most similar Texas programs despite earning below the national average. The challenge is that earnings flatline completely: graduates make essentially the same amount four years out as they do immediately after completion.

The real comparison here is against Texas community colleges like Houston Community College or Lone Star, where graduates earn $33,000-$35,000 with similar or lower debt loads. That $8,000-$10,000 annual earnings gap compounds significantly over time. With 78% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are counting on every dollar of earning potential.

The low debt load means graduates won't be buried in payments, but they also won't be building much financial runway. For a family considering this program, the question is whether the accessibility and quick completion justify accepting permanently lower earnings when stronger options exist elsewhere in Texas, even if they require relocating or a longer commute.