Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Southeast Community College Area

Southeast Community College's medical assisting program sits squarely in the middle of Nebraska's options, matching the state median for earnings while keeping debt slightly above average at $17,675. With graduates earning around $39,000 right out of the gate, this translates to manageable debt—you'd need less than half a year's salary to pay it off. That's considerably better than the national picture for similar programs, where median debt runs about $2,000 higher.

The catch is that earnings don't grow from here. Four years out, graduates are actually making slightly less than they did initially, likely reflecting the realities of medical assistant roles where compensation tends to plateau without additional credentials. If your child is looking at this as a stepping stone toward nursing or other healthcare careers, that makes sense. But as a terminal degree, it means they'll probably stay in that $38,000-39,000 range indefinitely.

For families prioritizing quick workforce entry with minimal debt, this program delivers on that promise—just understand you're trading long-term earning potential for immediate employability. The two schools ahead of Southeast in Nebraska (Northeast and Clarkson) show only $2,000-3,000 more in earnings, so you're not leaving massive money on the table by choosing this option.