Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College

Median Earnings (1yr)

$26,592

45th percentile

40th percentile in Kentucky

Median Debt

$9,307

2% below national median

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

Earnings Distribution

How Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College	$26,592	$27,529	+4%
Sullivan University	$34,352	$32,067	-7%
Beckfield College-Florence	$29,849	$30,496	+2%
ATA College	$29,280	$29,977	+2%
Brighton Center's Center for Employment Training	$28,903	$29,850	+3%

Compare to Similar Programs in Kentucky

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Kentucky (26 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical CollegeCumberland	$4,656	$26,592	$27,529	$9,307	0.35
Sullivan UniversityLouisville	$14,220	$34,352	$32,067	$14,958	0.44
MedQuest CollegeLouisville	—	$29,918	—	$9,500	0.32
Beckfield College-FlorenceFlorence	$13,295	$29,849	$30,496	$18,736	0.63
ATA CollegeLouisville	$13,930	$29,280	$29,977	$16,640	0.57
Brighton Center's Center for Employment TrainingNewport	—	$28,903	$29,850	—	—
National Median	—	$27,186	—	$9,500	0.35

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with allied health and medical assisting services graduates

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

$66,050/yrJobs growth:

Surgical Technologists

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

$62,480/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Physical Therapist Assistants

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

$60,050/yrJobs growth:

Medical Assistants

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

$44,200/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Pharmacy Technicians

Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.

$43,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.

Histology Technicians

Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.

Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other

All health technologists and technicians not listed separately.

Neurodiagnostic Technologists

Conduct electroneurodiagnostic (END) tests such as electroencephalograms, evoked potentials, polysomnograms, or electronystagmograms. May perform nerve conduction studies.

Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.

Healthcare Support Workers, All Other

All healthcare support workers not listed separately.

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.