Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga

Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga's Allied Health program produces earnings that fall significantly short of what students could achieve elsewhere in Tennessee. At $27,177 four years after graduation, graduates earn roughly $10,000 less annually than the state median for this field—a substantial gap that places this program in just the 25th percentile among Tennessee schools offering similar degrees.

The debt picture compounds these concerns. While the $27,403 median debt isn't excessive by national standards (17th percentile), it becomes problematic when paired with below-market earnings. Students essentially borrow the equivalent of their first year's salary, creating a debt-to-income ratio that limits financial flexibility early in their careers. Compare this to nearby Chattanooga State Community College, where graduates in the same field earn $45,112—nearly $18,000 more annually.

For parents considering this investment, the math is straightforward: your child would likely earn significantly more with an associate's degree from a Tennessee community college in the same field, often while taking on less debt. With 85% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here face genuine financial constraints, making it even more important to choose programs that maximize earning potential. Unless there are compelling personal circumstances that make Miller-Motte the only viable option, Tennessee's community colleges offer substantially better returns in this field.