Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield

With California's allied health programs producing a median salary near $49,000, this program's $27,132 first-year earnings—landing it in just the 10th percentile statewide—represents a concerning gap. Even after four years, graduates earn about $30,000, which is roughly 40% below what the typical California program delivers. When the state's top programs regularly produce $60,000+ earners, this substantial underperformance deserves scrutiny.

The $19,000 debt load seems reasonable in isolation, and the 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic. But context matters: graduates are borrowing average amounts while earning well below average, meaning they'll struggle more than peers at comparable institutions to service that debt. The 10% earnings growth over four years also trails behind, suggesting limited advancement opportunities in whatever roles these graduates secure.

For a family considering this program, the math is straightforward but unfavorable. Your child would likely earn $20,000+ more annually by attending one of California's median-performing programs in this field, let alone the top performers. With 100 schools offering allied health programs across California and over half of students here qualifying for Pell grants, explore alternatives that better position graduates for California's allied health job market and its corresponding cost of living.