Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degree) at Seward County Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$44,217

Est. from KS median (5 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$17,000

Est. from KS median (4 programs)

Analysis

Similar allied health programs across Kansas suggest first-year earnings around $44,200—a figure that puts graduates roughly at the state median for this field. While Seward County Community College's actual outcomes aren't available due to small class sizes, peer programs at Kansas community colleges show a consistent pattern: medical assisting and allied health associate degrees typically lead to immediate employment, though not necessarily at the higher wages that top programs like Hutchinson Community College ($48,300) achieve.

The estimated debt load of $17,000 works out to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38, well below the national benchmark debt of $19,800 for this credential. That's meaningful breathing room for graduates entering healthcare support roles that often involve shift work and incremental wage growth through certification additions rather than dramatic salary jumps. Kansas programs in this field cluster tightly around $42,000-$45,000 in starting pay, suggesting relatively stable entry-level prospects across institutions.

The real question is whether your student thrives in clinical settings and understands the ceiling for these roles. Allied health support positions offer steady employment but limited upward mobility without additional credentials. If they're passionate about patient care and view this as either a career endpoint or a stepping stone to further healthcare education, the debt burden appears reasonable based on what comparable Kansas programs deliver.

Where Seward County Community College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Kansas

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Kansas (19 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Seward County Community CollegeLiberal	$3,744	$44,217*	—	$17,000*	—
Hutchinson Community CollegeHutchinson	$3,420	$48,347*	—	$19,500*	0.40
Washburn UniversityTopeka	$9,578	$45,386*	$45,676	$22,566*	0.50
Labette Community CollegeParsons	$3,968	$44,217*	—	$10,500*	0.24
Kansas City Kansas Community CollegeKansas City	$3,150	$42,823*	$47,071	$14,500*	0.34
Rasmussen University-KansasTopeka	$15,340	$35,350*	$32,985	$26,612*	0.75
National Median	—	$36,862*	—	$19,825*	0.54

* Estimated from similar programs

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 Seward County Community College, approximately 20% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 5 similar programs in KS. Actual outcomes may vary.