Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Radford University

Radford University charges significantly more than typical allied health programs—$30,625 in median debt versus $19,825 nationally—but the premium appears justified by exceptional outcomes. Graduates earn $48,584 in their first year, putting this program in the 92nd percentile nationally and 80th percentile among Virginia's 16 allied health programs. That's nearly $10,000 above the state median and $12,000 above the national benchmark. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63 means graduates earn back their entire debt load in less than eight months.

What makes this particularly compelling is the earnings trajectory: graduates see a 9% jump to $53,137 by year four, suggesting solid career progression rather than stagnation. Among comparable Virginia programs, only Eastern Virginia Career College and Riverside College of Health Careers produce similar first-year earnings, and Radford's four-year numbers suggest better long-term prospects.

The higher debt reflects Radford's status as a four-year university rather than a community college or specialized career school, which may explain the premium. For a student committed to allied health work and comfortable with university-level debt, this program delivers strong returns—competitive with the state's top specialized health colleges while offering the broader resources of a comprehensive university. The 91% admission rate also makes this accessible to most applicants.