Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Southeastern Community College

Southeastern Community College's medical assisting certificate commands higher-than-average debt ($14,296 versus $13,485 statewide) but initially delivers stronger-than-typical returns, with first-year earnings of $36,202 placing it in the 95th percentile nationally and 60th percentile among Iowa's 18 programs. However, that premium comes with a concerning pattern: earnings drop 11% by year four to $32,276, pulling the program below the state median and closer to peers like Kirkwood and Northeast Iowa. For comparison, Des Moines Area's program produces $38,511 graduates with similar time investment.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 remains manageable—graduates earn nearly three times their debt in the first year alone—but the trajectory matters. Most medical assistants see stable or growing earnings as they gain experience; the decline here suggests graduates may be hitting a ceiling quickly or experiencing high turnover in their roles. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) makes this pattern somewhat reliable, not a statistical fluke.

For an anxious parent, here's the calculus: your child will likely land a decent first job and carry reasonable debt, but they'll be earning less four years out than they did starting out. If this is a stepping stone to higher credentials like nursing or healthcare administration, that's defensible. As a terminal credential, though, programs like Des Moines Area offer better long-term value without requiring relocation.