Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Southeastern Technical Institute

Southeastern Technical Institute manages to outperform the national median for medical assisting by $9,000 while keeping debt to just $5,500—a combination that puts graduates ahead of 95% of similar programs nationally on both measures. However, the Massachusetts context reveals tougher competition: this program sits at the state median, with several community colleges placing graduates $8,000-$9,000 higher within four years.

The bigger question is what happens after that first year. Earnings slip slightly by year four, which may reflect the limits of certificate-level credentials in a field where advancement often requires additional training. Still, with debt representing just 15% of first-year earnings, graduates start on solid financial footing—no one's drowning in payments while figuring out their next move.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift considerably year to year, but the fundamentals are sound: low debt, immediate employment, and earnings well above the national norm. For families weighing local options, the nearby community colleges offer stronger earning potential at similar or slightly higher debt levels, making them worth a close look. But if those aren't accessible, this program delivers a functional entry point to healthcare work without the financial burden that plagues many certificate programs.