Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Southeastern College-West Palm Beach

This certificate delivers below-average earnings that actually decline after graduation—not what you want to see in a healthcare field that typically offers stability. At roughly $25,000 initially, graduates earn about $2,000 less than Florida's median for medical assisting programs and $3,000 below the national benchmark. More troubling, earnings drop to $23,265 by year four, suggesting graduates may be switching careers or struggling to advance in the field.

The debt load of $9,500 is manageable and falls right at the national and state median, giving this program a reasonable 0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio. However, context matters: Florida's top technical colleges place graduates at earnings $8,000-$10,000 higher right out of the gate. Even Palm Beach State College, just down the road, reports graduates earning nearly $34,000. These are the same credentials—medical assisting certificates—so the earnings gap likely reflects employer perception, curriculum quality, or job placement support.

For families weighing this program against public alternatives in Florida, the numbers point clearly elsewhere. With 77% of students qualifying for Pell grants, Southeastern is serving price-sensitive students who can't afford to settle for below-market outcomes. Your student would graduate with identical credentials but weaker earnings prospects. Unless there's a compelling scheduling or location reason, the local state college appears to be the smarter investment.