Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degree) at Santa Fe College

Median Earnings (1yr)

$42,710

75th percentile

60th percentile in Florida

Median Debt

$26,250

32% above national median

Analysis

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.

Where Santa Fe College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services associates's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Santa Fe 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)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Santa Fe CollegeGainesville	$2,563	$42,710	—	$26,250	0.61
Hodges UniversityFort Myers	$15,580	$50,942	$44,787	$21,250	0.42
Taylor CollegeOcala	$13,263	$42,622	$50,875	$25,250	0.59
St Petersburg CollegeSt. Petersburg	$2,682	$41,802	—	$20,453	0.49
Gulf Coast State CollegePanama City	$2,370	$40,027	$49,758	—	—
South University-West Palm BeachRoyal Palm Beach	$18,238	$39,761	$43,365	$30,694	0.77
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

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

$66,050/yrJobs growth:

Surgical Technologists

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

$62,480/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Physical Therapist Assistants

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

$60,050/yrJobs growth:

Medical Assistants

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

$44,200/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Pharmacy Technicians

Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.

$43,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.

Histology Technicians

Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.

Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other

All health technologists and technicians not listed separately.

Neurodiagnostic Technologists

Conduct electroneurodiagnostic (END) tests such as electroencephalograms, evoked potentials, polysomnograms, or electronystagmograms. May perform nerve conduction studies.

Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.

Healthcare Support Workers, All Other

All healthcare support workers not listed separately.

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 Santa Fe College, approximately 28% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 29 graduates with reported earnings and 21 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.