Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degree) at Ridgewater College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$38,417

Est. from MN median (9 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$25,469

Est. from MN median (4 programs)

Analysis

Similar Allied Health programs across Minnesota suggest first-year earnings around $38,400, while the estimated debt of $25,500 exceeds what most comparable programs typically leave graduates carrying. Minnesota's median debt for these programs is $26,600—among the higher rates nationally, where the typical graduate owes closer to $20,000. For a field where entry-level salaries cluster tightly, that extra $5,000-6,000 in borrowing can meaningfully extend your repayment timeline.

The 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within manageable territory, and medical assisting roles offer steady employment in Minnesota's healthcare sector. However, peer programs in the state are producing notably stronger outcomes: Lake Superior College and Northland Community and Technical College graduates are earning $42,000-43,000 in their first year—about $4,000-5,000 more than what comparable programs at Ridgewater suggest. That difference compounds over time, potentially offsetting thousands in interest payments.

Before committing, request Ridgewater's actual graduate outcomes if they track them internally, and compare total program costs against the community colleges achieving better earnings. If the figures hold true to state patterns, you're looking at a credential that leads to work, but other Minnesota schools may deliver better financial positioning from day one.

Where Ridgewater College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (20 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Ridgewater CollegeWillmar	$6,109	$38,417*	—	$25,469*	—
Lake Superior CollegeDuluth	$5,786	$43,188*	$41,654	$26,611*	0.62
Northland Community and Technical CollegeThief River Falls	$6,262	$42,509*	$40,027	$23,750*	0.56
St Catherine UniversitySaint Paul	$49,758	$40,149*	$39,072	$30,500*	0.76
Anoka-Ramsey Community CollegeCoon Rapids	$5,682	$39,442*	$44,219	$29,000*	0.74
Anoka Technical CollegeAnoka	$6,267	$38,417*	$37,450	$24,326*	0.63
National Median	—	$36,862*	—	$19,825*	0.54

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with allied health and medical assisting services graduates

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

$66,050/yrJobs growth:

Surgical Technologists

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

$62,480/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Physical Therapist Assistants

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

$60,050/yrJobs growth:

Medical Assistants

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

$44,200/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Pharmacy Technicians

Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.

$43,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.

Histology Technicians

Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.

Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other

All health technologists and technicians not listed separately.

Neurodiagnostic Technologists

Conduct electroneurodiagnostic (END) tests such as electroencephalograms, evoked potentials, polysomnograms, or electronystagmograms. May perform nerve conduction studies.

Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.

Healthcare Support Workers, All Other

All healthcare support workers not listed separately.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Ridgewater College, approximately 34% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 9 similar programs in MN. Actual outcomes may vary.