Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$40,180

Est. from MN median (5 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$18,755

Est. from MN median (3 programs)

Analysis

For a certificate program in medical assisting, the estimated debt of $18,755 sits notably above both the state median ($17,378) and well above the national median ($9,500) for similar programs. When Minnesota's comparable programs typically produce first-year earnings around $40,180, that debt load translates to a 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio—workable, but not especially comfortable for an entry-level healthcare position.

The earnings estimate itself offers some reassurance. Based on peer programs across Minnesota, medical assistants in this state earn considerably more than the national median of $27,186, with schools like Anoka Technical College and Century College placing graduates at similar salary levels. Minnesota's healthcare market appears stronger than most states for this credential. However, the debt figure deserves scrutiny—it's approaching double what similar certificate programs carry nationally, which matters when your first-year salary is $40,000.

The practical question is whether Minnesota State's program justifies its higher borrowing costs compared to alternatives. With 25 programs statewide producing comparable outcomes and several reporting actual debt loads below this estimate, parents should directly compare what you'd pay here versus nearby technical colleges. A certificate that costs half as much but leads to the same job makes significantly better financial sense, especially for students entering a field where advancement typically requires additional credentials rather than premium entry points.

Where Minnesota State Community and Technical College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (25 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Minnesota State Community and Technical CollegeFergus Falls	$5,900	$40,180*	—	$18,755*	—
Anoka Technical CollegeAnoka	$6,267	$41,583*	—	$18,755*	0.45
Century CollegeWhite Bear Lake	$6,182	$40,253*	$37,549	$22,921*	0.57
Dakota County Technical CollegeRosemount	$6,419	$40,180*	$38,340	—*	—
Lake Superior CollegeDuluth	$5,786	$33,245*	$32,799	$16,000*	0.48
Rasmussen University-MinnesotaSt. Cloud	$10,899	$29,532*	$30,496	$14,042*	0.48
National Median	—	$27,186*	—	$9,500*	0.35

* 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 Minnesota State Community and Technical College, approximately 25% 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 5 similar programs in MN. Actual outcomes may vary.