Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Riverside College of Health Careers

Riverside College's Allied Health program punches above its weight nationally, placing graduates in the 90th percentile for earnings—about $11,000 higher than the typical program. But Virginia context matters here: the state median for this field sits at $38,446, meaning you're paying slightly above-average debt ($22,500 versus $23,350 state median) for earnings that, while strong, rank in the middle of Virginia programs.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary, which represents manageable debt by most standards. Earnings climb modestly to $50,655 by year four, keeping pace with programs like Eastern Virginia Career College and Radford. The school's 17% admission rate and the fact that nearly half of students receive Pell grants suggests this is a competitive program serving economically diverse students.

The major caveat: these numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, so your child's experience could vary significantly. Still, for families considering allied health careers in Virginia, this program delivers solidly middle-of-the-pack outcomes in a state with generally strong earnings for this field. The debt load is reasonable enough that repayment shouldn't derail other financial goals, making this a defensible choice if your child is committed to medical assisting work.