Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Purdue University Global

Purdue University Global's medical assisting program commands premium tuition but delivers surprisingly strong initial outcomes. At $31,962 in first-year earnings, graduates significantly outperform both the national median ($27,186) and Indiana's median ($26,624) for this field, ranking in the 82nd percentile nationally. The $19,000 debt load is double the typical amount for medical assisting programs, but the strong initial earnings keep the debt-to-income ratio reasonable at 0.59.

However, the earnings trajectory reveals a troubling pattern—graduates see their income drop to $29,604 by year four, a 7% decline that's unusual for healthcare fields. This means while you're paying premium prices for the Purdue Global name, graduates aren't sustaining the salary advantage over time. Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana's community college system, produces graduates earning $32,398 initially with presumably much lower debt.

The program works for students who can leverage that strong initial earning power and Purdue's brand recognition, but the combination of high debt and declining earnings creates risk. For families focused on return on investment, exploring Ivy Tech or other lower-cost alternatives might deliver better long-term value in this practical healthcare field.