Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Southwestern Community College

Southwestern Community College's allied health program produces graduates who earn above both state and national medians right out of the gate, but then something unusual happens: earnings actually decline by 9% over four years. This pattern is worth understanding before committing, as graduates average $42,374 initially but drop to $38,500 by year four—suggesting many may transition into different roles or face limited advancement within their initial positions.

The financial entry point is reasonable: $18,702 in debt means graduates need to allocate roughly 44% of their first year's earnings to repay loans, assuming standard repayment terms. That's manageable compared to many healthcare programs, and the debt sits below North Carolina's median for this field ($22,004). Among NC's 47 allied health programs, this one ranks at the 60th percentile for earnings—solidly middle-of-the-pack but trailing leaders like Martin Community College by about $400 annually.

The core question is whether that earnings decline reflects field-wide trends or program-specific outcomes. If you're considering this path, talk to recent graduates about their career trajectories. The starting salary advantage is real, but investing in a program where earnings decrease rather than grow means carefully evaluating whether the specific roles graduates typically enter offer the stability and growth your family is counting on for a two-year degree investment.