Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at South University-Tampa

South University-Tampa's Allied Health program delivers solid mid-tier performance but comes with a significant debt burden that deserves careful consideration. Graduates earn $39,761 in their first year and $43,365 by year four—respectable figures that outpace both Florida's median ($34,234) and the national average ($36,862) for similar programs. Among Florida's 43 allied health programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings.

The concerning factor is debt: at $30,694, students graduate owing 55% more than the national median and 20% more than Florida's typical program debt. This places the program in the 95th percentile nationally for debt burden—meaning 95% of comparable programs nationwide saddle students with less debt. While the 0.77 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, it means graduates start their careers owing nearly 10 months of their first-year salary.

For context, Florida offers notably stronger options. Hodges University graduates earn $50,942 with this degree, while several community colleges like Santa Fe and St. Petersburg deliver similar or better outcomes, likely at much lower cost. Unless your child has specific reasons to attend South University-Tampa, exploring these alternatives—particularly the community college options—could provide better value for an allied health career.