Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Spokane Community College

Washington's allied health programs show dramatic variation in outcomes, and Spokane Community College lands near the bottom of that range. First-year earnings of $35,992 place this program in the 25th percentile statewide—nearly $8,000 below what graduates from similar programs across Washington typically earn. That gap widens when you compare it to top performers: Tacoma Community College's allied health graduates start at $58,382, more than 60% higher.

The estimated debt of $18,220, derived from state medians for similar community college programs, creates a manageable ratio of 0.51 to first-year income. That's favorable on paper, but it assumes earnings comparable to other programs. The reality is that this program's graduates start significantly behind their Washington peers while carrying similar debt loads. Growth to $39,588 by year four helps, but doesn't close the competitive gap.

For parents, this matters because allied health is meant to be a reliable path to stable employment, yet outcomes vary wildly even within the same state system. The low starting salary suggests either that graduates are entering lower-paying roles within allied health or that local market conditions in Spokane differ substantially from other parts of Washington. Before committing, compare what specific certifications or roles this program prepares students for versus higher-earning alternatives like Spokane Falls Community College across town, which reports nearly $12,000 more in starting earnings.