Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Northeast Iowa Community College

Northeast Iowa Community College's certificate graduates earn $5,600 more than the typical graduate from this program nationally—an impressive 88th percentile showing—while carrying just $14,136 in debt. However, the small cohort size (under 30 students) means these figures could shift significantly year to year, and within Iowa itself, this program sits squarely at the state median. Several community colleges including Des Moines Area and Southeastern produce graduates earning $3,000-$5,000 more annually, suggesting the program's strong national ranking reflects more about struggling programs elsewhere than exceptional outcomes here.

The debt picture is genuinely favorable: graduates typically borrow about $4,600 less than the national median, creating a manageable 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio that most can handle comfortably. Earnings hold steady between year one and year four rather than declining, which matters in a field where some certificate programs show income drops as workers hit ceiling effects.

For an anxious parent, the key question is whether $33,000 annual earnings justify even modest debt when higher-earning options exist at nearby Iowa community colleges. If your child is geographically limited to the Calmar area, this program offers reasonable value. But if Des Moines or southeastern Iowa are possibilities, those programs deliver 15-20% higher earnings for similar debt levels—a difference that compounds to tens of thousands of dollars over a career. Treat these specific numbers cautiously given the sample size, but the general pattern suggests shopping around within Iowa's community college system makes sense.