Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Southeastern College-Charleston

Southeastern College-Charleston gets students into allied health jobs quickly without crushing them with debt. At $14,198, their debt burden sits well below both the South Carolina median ($12,292) and especially the national average, while graduates earn above the median for this field in both the state and nationwide. That 0.49 debt-to-earnings ratio means a graduate earning $28,689 could theoretically pay off their loan in six months—making this one of the more affordable paths into healthcare support roles.

The program ranks solidly in the middle (60th percentile) among South Carolina's 19 medical assisting programs, trailing the state's community colleges but still outperforming the state median. Students see modest income growth to $30,868 by year four, which reflects the reality that entry-level medical assisting roles don't typically lead to dramatic salary increases. Two-thirds of students receive Pell grants, suggesting the school successfully serves working-class families looking for quick workforce entry.

For a family prioritizing low debt and immediate employability over long-term earning potential, this certificate delivers on both counts. However, if your child can secure a spot at Spartanburg or Midlands Technical College—where graduates earn $32,000+—those community college options offer better value at likely similar or lower cost. This works as a reliable backup option, particularly for students who need flexible scheduling or didn't gain admission to more competitive programs.