Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at South University-Virginia Beach

South University-Virginia Beach's allied health program produces solid earnings that outperform both national and state averages, but the debt burden tells a more complicated story. Graduates earn $39,761 in their first year, placing them in the 63rd percentile nationally and 60th percentile among Virginia programs—respectable performance that beats the national median by nearly $3,000. However, the $30,694 median debt is substantially higher than typical for this field, ranking in the 95th percentile nationally and exceeding Virginia's median by over $7,000.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77 means graduates will likely need most of their first year's salary just to manage loan payments, creating immediate financial pressure. While earnings do grow to $43,365 by year four, this 9% increase barely keeps pace with inflation and leaves graduates trailing the state's top programs by $5,000-9,000. Among Virginia's 16 allied health programs, several community colleges and specialized schools deliver similar or better outcomes with significantly less debt.

For families considering this program, the math is concerning: you're paying premium tuition for middle-tier results. Unless your child specifically needs the flexibility or services this private institution offers, Virginia's community colleges provide a much better financial path into allied health careers.