Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at South Texas College

South Texas College's allied health program graduates earn roughly $8,000 less annually than the typical Texas graduate in this field—landing in just the 25th percentile statewide. When students at San Jacinto Community College or Kilgore College are earning over $51,000 within a year, the $32,000 starting point here represents a significant gap that persists even after four years. The 13% earnings growth to $36,000 still falls well short of what many competing Texas programs deliver right out of the gate.

The one bright spot is the exceptionally low debt load of just over $10,000, roughly half the state median and among the lowest in the nation for this program type. That manageable debt means graduates face payments around $100-120 monthly—something even the lower earnings can absorb. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 is quite reasonable compared to more expensive options.

For families weighing this program, the tradeoff is clear: minimal debt but also minimal earnings potential compared to other Texas options. If your student is location-bound to the Rio Grande Valley or needs the lowest possible debt burden, this works as an affordable entry point into healthcare. But if they can access programs like San Jacinto or Navarro, those deliver $15,000-20,000 more in annual earnings for similar or only slightly higher debt—a difference that compounds to hundreds of thousands over a career.