Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Salt Lake Community College

Salt Lake Community College's Allied Health program starts graduates at below-average salaries—about $34,900 is roughly $4,000 less than what similar programs deliver both nationally and across Utah. That matters because even with relatively modest debt of $14,136, students begin their careers playing catch-up. Among Utah's seven programs in this field, this one ranks near the bottom at the 40th percentile for earnings.

The redeeming feature here is strong earnings growth: graduates see their pay jump 30% to around $45,200 within four years, pulling ahead of the typical first-year graduate from competing programs. That trajectory suggests the program provides solid clinical skills that employers increasingly value with experience. However, you're betting on that future growth to justify the initial earnings gap, which means tighter finances in those crucial first years when loan payments begin.

For families watching every dollar, this creates a real tradeoff. The debt load is manageable—half what you'd find at a typical program nationally—and the long-term earnings curve looks promising. But Provo College and Utah Tech both offer stronger starting salaries with similar debt profiles. If your child can handle a rougher financial start in exchange for lower upfront costs and decent growth potential, this works. If immediate earning power matters more for your family's situation, look at those alternatives first.