Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Platt College-Riverside

The debt picture here looks remarkably good—just $7,229 for an associate's degree at a school serving 70% Pell-eligible students. That's about a third of the state median and puts this program in the 95th percentile nationally for keeping borrowing low. But the earnings trajectory tells a more complex story.

First-year numbers based on comparable programs in California suggest around $48,900, which would be solid for an allied health graduate. However, this program reports actual four-year earnings of just $29,558—a significant drop that raises questions about long-term earning power. While some healthcare roles start modestly and build over time, the pattern here goes the wrong direction. Top programs in the state are producing graduates earning $60,000+ four years out, suggesting the field has higher-paying tracks that this program may not be positioned to access.

For families, the minimal debt means this isn't a financial trap even if earnings disappoint. But the four-year figure is the only concrete outcome we have from this school's actual graduates, and it sits well below both state and national benchmarks for allied health programs. If your student is drawn to this field, investigate specifically which credentials this program provides and whether they lead to roles with advancement potential—the debt won't haunt them, but stagnant earnings might.