Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Analysis
Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College's allied health certificate delivers below-average outcomes even by Kentucky's modest standards. With graduates earning $26,592 initially and $27,529 after four years, this program sits at the 40th percentile statewide—meaning 60% of Kentucky's medical assisting programs produce better earnings. Compare this to Sullivan University's $34,352 or even nearby competitors like ATA College at $29,280.
The debt load of $9,307 looks reasonable in isolation, creating a manageable 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio. However, that debt figure actually ranks in the 76th percentile nationally—higher than three-quarters of similar programs. Given that 40% of students here receive Pell grants, many are taking on this debt without much financial cushion, only to graduate into earnings barely above $26,000.
The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift year to year, but the pattern is concerning: this program underperforms both state and national benchmarks while charging more debt than most competitors. For families in Cumberland considering this route, exploring options at the stronger Kentucky programs would likely yield better returns on the same investment of time and money.
Where Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services certificate's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College graduates earn $27k, placing them in the 45th percentile of all allied health and medical assisting services certificate programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Kentucky
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Kentucky (26 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College | $26,592 | $27,529 | $9,307 | 0.35 |
| Sullivan University | $34,352 | $32,067 | $14,958 | 0.44 |
| MedQuest College | $29,918 | — | $9,500 | 0.32 |
| Beckfield College-Florence | $29,849 | $30,496 | $18,736 | 0.63 |
| ATA College | $29,280 | $29,977 | $16,640 | 0.57 |
| Brighton Center's Center for Employment Training | $28,903 | $29,850 | — | — |
| National Median | $27,186 | — | $9,500 | 0.35 |
Other Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Programs in Kentucky
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Kentucky schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sullivan University Louisville | $14,220 | $34,352 | $14,958 |
| MedQuest College Louisville | — | $29,918 | $9,500 |
| Beckfield College-Florence Florence | $13,295 | $29,849 | $18,736 |
| ATA College Louisville | $13,930 | $29,280 | $16,640 |
| Brighton Center's Center for Employment Training Newport | — | $28,903 | — |
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 Kentucky Community & Technical College, approximately 40% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 24 graduates with reported earnings and 27 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.