Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at South Plains College

Similar allied health programs across Texas suggest first-year earnings around $44,175 for this credential, with debt typically around $16,125—giving South Plains College graduates a manageable 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's actually below the state median debt for comparable programs ($21,000) and positions graduates to handle their loans comfortably even in their first year. The four-year earnings figure of $50,882 shows reasonable progression, though not the dramatic growth some healthcare fields offer.

What's encouraging is how South Plains appears to perform relative to Texas benchmarks. While top programs in the state like Western Technical and San Jacinto Community College report first-year earnings above $52,000, South Plains' estimated outcomes track right at the state median—competitive for a community college serving a significant Pell grant population. The program also beats national medians handily ($44,175 versus $36,862), suggesting Texas healthcare markets generally pay better than many states.

For parents, this looks like solid workforce preparation at a reasonable price. The debt load won't be crushing, earnings appear sufficient from day one, and the four-year data shows graduates staying employed in the field. Just recognize these figures come from peer programs rather than South Plains' own graduates, so there's some uncertainty in whether this specific program matches, exceeds, or falls short of these estimates.