Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Saint Paul College

Similar allied health programs across Minnesota produce first-year earnings around $38,000—a figure that falls right at the state median but trails what graduates earn at schools like Lake Superior College and Northland Community and Technical College by about $4,000 to $5,000 annually. The estimated debt of $25,469 sits just below the state median, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66. That's manageable by standard measures, though it means your child would owe roughly eight months of their first year's salary.

What makes this estimate harder to interpret is the wide variation among Minnesota programs. Top-performing schools place graduates who earn 10-15% more right out of the gate, which matters significantly when you're carrying $25,000 in debt. Allied health and medical assisting roles do offer relatively stable employment, and the field continues growing in demand. But with 40% of Saint Paul College students receiving Pell grants, many families here are particularly sensitive to whether that debt load pencils out against starting earnings that, while solid, aren't exceptional for the state.

Before committing, you'll want to understand why actual outcomes for Saint Paul College aren't being reported—it may simply be small cohort sizes—and compare specific job placement rates and certification pass rates against those higher-earning programs nearby. The numbers suggest a reasonable investment, but not necessarily the strongest one available in Minnesota for this field.