Est. Earnings (1yr)
$35,232
Est. from national median (9 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$15,440
Est. from national median (6 programs)

Analysis

An estimated debt load of $15,440 positions this health professions program somewhat below what peer programs typically carry—national benchmarks suggest median debt around $17,930 for associate's degrees in this field. With estimated first-year earnings of $35,232, graduates would face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44, meaning roughly five months of gross income to cover the full loan balance. That's manageable math for an entry-level healthcare credential.

The challenge here is that both figures come from national patterns rather than Southeast Community College's actual outcomes, so you're betting that this program will track similarly to its peers. Healthcare associate's degrees generally produce consistent results because they're tied to specific clinical roles and licensing requirements, but there's always variation based on local job markets and which particular healthcare specialties a program emphasizes. Lincoln's healthcare sector and the program's specific focus areas will matter considerably.

For parents evaluating this program, the estimated numbers suggest a workable investment if healthcare is genuinely the career path. The debt burden appears reasonable relative to likely income, but confirm what specific certifications or roles this program prepares students for—not all health professions tracks are created equal in terms of job availability or advancement potential.

Where Southeast Community College Area Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all health professions associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Health Professions associates's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Southeast Community College AreaLincoln$3,540$35,232*$15,440*
Goodwin UniversityEast Hartford$21,198$48,291*$39,835*0.82
American Public University SystemCharles Town$8,400$41,350*$51,205$8,358*0.20
Chattanooga State Community CollegeChattanooga$4,550$36,180*$39,058$22,513*0.62
Monroe Community CollegeRochester$5,856$35,765*$44,497$12,950*0.36
Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids$13,630$35,232*$17,930*0.51
National Median$35,232*$17,930*0.51
* Estimated from similar programs
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Southeast Community College Area, approximately 21% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 9 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.