Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Ridgewater College

Based on comparable Allied Health programs in Minnesota, Ridgewater College's certificate program appears to track with stronger state outcomes rather than weaker national ones. Similar programs across Minnesota produce median first-year earnings around $40,180—nearly 50% higher than the national median of $27,186. That's a meaningful advantage if this program delivers outcomes in line with its Minnesota peers.

The estimated debt load of roughly $18,755 presents a more complicated picture. While Minnesota programs typically carry about $17,400 in debt—already well above the $9,500 national median—this estimate suggests slightly higher borrowing. At a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47, graduates would owe about half their first year's salary, which is manageable but not insignificant for an entry-level healthcare support position. The concern is whether these estimates reflect Ridgewater's actual outcomes, since this program's graduate cohort is small enough that the Department of Education suppressed the real figures.

The practical reality: If your child is considering medical assisting, Minnesota's job market appears robust enough to support reasonable debt repayment. But before committing to this specific program, verify that Ridgewater's graduates actually land those $40,000 jobs—contact the school directly for placement data and typical employer relationships. With top Minnesota programs producing similar earnings, you want confirmation that Ridgewater delivers comparable preparation and job access, not just comparable tuition bills.