Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Northwood Technical College

Northwood Technical College's allied health program punches well above its weight nationally—graduates earn $36,070 in their first year, placing this program in the 95th percentile among the 1,356 schools offering this credential. That's nearly $9,000 more than the national median. The manageable $9,437 debt load means graduates owe just three months of first-year income, an excellent starting position.

The wrinkle here is what happens next: by year four, median earnings drop to $28,912, a 20% decline that's unusual for healthcare credentials. This pattern likely reflects the realities of medical assisting roles, which can be physically demanding and may see workers shift to different careers or reduce hours over time. Within Wisconsin, this program sits at the 60th percentile—solid but not exceptional—with several other technical colleges showing similar or slightly higher first-year earnings and more stable income trajectories.

For families prioritizing quick workforce entry with minimal debt, this remains a viable option. The first-year earnings are strong enough to make the credential pay off quickly, even if the long-term trajectory isn't ideal. Just understand that this may be better suited as a stepping stone to other healthcare roles rather than a 20-year career path.