Analysis
SABER College serves a predominantly low-income student population in Miami, but the numbers suggest families should look closely at Florida's public alternatives. While this program's $34,751 starting salary beats the state median and ranks in the 60th percentile among Florida programs, graduates carry $32,662 in debt—nearly $13,000 more than typical Florida medical assisting graduates and among the highest debt loads (5th percentile) nationally for this field.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.94 means graduates face nearly a full year's salary in debt for credentials that lead to earnings about $2,000 below the national median. Several Florida community colleges—including Santa Fe, St. Petersburg, and Gulf Coast State—produce graduates earning $40,000 to $43,000 while likely charging far less in tuition. Given that 83% of SABER students receive Pell grants, the extra debt burden hits families who can least afford it particularly hard.
For a medical assisting associate's degree in South Florida, this program delivers middle-of-the-pack earnings but top-tier debt. Unless there are compelling geographic or scheduling reasons to choose SABER, the state's community college system offers better financial outcomes in this field.
Where SABER College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How SABER College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Florida
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Florida (43 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | $34,751 | — | $32,662 | 0.94 | |
| $15,580 | $50,942 | $44,787 | $21,250 | 0.42 | |
| $2,563 | $42,710 | — | $26,250 | 0.61 | |
| $13,263 | $42,622 | $50,875 | $25,250 | 0.59 | |
| $2,682 | $41,802 | — | $20,453 | 0.49 | |
| $2,370 | $40,027 | $49,758 | — | — | |
| National Median | — | $36,862 | — | $19,825 | 0.54 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with allied health and medical assisting services graduates
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Surgical Technologists
Physical Therapist Assistants
Medical Assistants
Pharmacy Technicians
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
Histology Technicians
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other
Neurodiagnostic Technologists
Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other
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 SABER College, approximately 83% 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.