Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Southern Technical College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Analysis
This program presents a concerning value proposition that falls short of both national and state standards. At $25,471 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about $800 less than the Florida median for medical assisting programs and nearly $1,700 below the national average. More troubling, this ranks in just the 40th percentile among Florida's 99 similar programs, meaning 60% of comparable in-state options deliver better outcomes.
The debt picture offers the program's only bright spot—at $11,250, it's higher than typical for this field but still manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44. However, this modest advantage is overshadowed by the weak earning potential. Top Florida programs like Manatee Technical College ($35,907) and Miami Dade College ($34,527) demonstrate that significantly higher earnings are achievable in this field within the state.
For a program serving primarily low-income students (82% receive Pell grants), these below-average outcomes are particularly disappointing. While medical assisting offers stable employment, Southern Technical College's version appears to underperform readily available alternatives. Given Florida's competitive landscape of medical assisting programs, families should strongly consider the higher-performing public options that typically offer both better earnings outcomes and lower costs.
Where Southern Technical College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services certificate's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Southern Technical College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Southern Technical College graduates earn $25k, placing them in the 35th percentile of all allied health and medical assisting services certificate programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in Florida
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Florida (99 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Technical College | $25,471 | — | $11,250 | 0.44 |
| Manatee Technical College | $35,907 | — | — | — |
| Miami Dade College | $34,527 | $29,030 | $7,695 | 0.22 |
| Palm Beach State College | $33,935 | — | — | — |
| Lorenzo Walker Technical College | $33,354 | $30,757 | — | — |
| H W Brewster Technical College | $33,100 | — | — | — |
| National Median | $27,186 | — | $9,500 | 0.35 |
Other Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Programs in Florida
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Florida schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manatee Technical College Bradenton | — | $35,907 | — |
| Miami Dade College Miami | $2,838 | $34,527 | $7,695 |
| Palm Beach State College Lake Worth | $3,050 | $33,935 | — |
| Lorenzo Walker Technical College Naples | — | $33,354 | — |
| H W Brewster Technical College Tampa | — | $33,100 | — |
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 Southern Technical College, approximately 82% 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 545 graduates with reported earnings and 675 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.