Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Santa Fe College

Among Florida's 43 allied health programs, Santa Fe College graduates earn $42,710—nearly $8,500 more than the state median and roughly $6,000 above the national average. That's solid performance for an associate degree that costs $26,250, putting graduates in a manageable debt position with a ratio of 0.61. The program ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings within Florida, though a handful of schools (notably Hodges University at $51,000) push higher outcomes.

The debt burden here sits just below Florida's median for these programs ($25,626), which matters when you consider the relatively modest first-year earnings for healthcare support roles. Graduates can realistically manage these loans on their starting salary, unlike many bachelor's programs that leave students with higher debt and lower initial pay. The 24th percentile national debt ranking confirms this program keeps borrowing in check compared to similar offerings elsewhere.

One caveat: the sample size is small (under 30 graduates), so individual circumstances could swing these numbers. Still, for a parent weighing community college healthcare options in North Central Florida, Santa Fe delivers above-average earnings at below-average debt—a combination that makes the investment work even if their student takes a year or two longer to finish than planned.