Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Missouri Western State University

Missouri Western's Allied Health program shows middling performance within Missouri, but that's only half the story. While first-year earnings of $36,350 match the state median and place this program in the 60th percentile statewide, graduates here carry about $1,300 more debt than typical Missouri peers. More concerning: several Missouri schools—particularly State Technical College and Metro Community College-Kansas City—produce graduates earning $3,000-$5,000 more annually with similar or lower debt loads.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 means graduates face roughly six months of gross income in loans, which is manageable but not particularly attractive for an allied health associate's degree. At $19,263 in debt, repayment should be feasible on these earnings, though it will take discipline. The program serves a modest Pell population (28%), suggesting it draws students from varied economic backgrounds.

Keep in mind these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary significantly. If your child is drawn to Missouri Western for campus fit or location in Saint Joseph, this program won't derail their finances. But purely from a return-on-investment standpoint, you'd likely get more value from community colleges like Metropolitan or technical schools like State Tech, which deliver stronger earnings outcomes at comparable or lower cost.