Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at St Catherine University

St. Catherine University's allied health program commands significantly higher debt than typical programs while delivering only modest earnings advantages. At $30,500 in median debt, students here borrow 53% more than the national median and 15% more than other Minnesota programs, yet earn just $40,149 in their first year—only $1,700 above the state median.

The debt burden becomes more concerning when you consider the earnings trajectory. While graduates start reasonably well in the 60th percentile among Minnesota programs, their earnings actually decline by 3% over four years to $39,072. This downward trend is unusual for healthcare fields and suggests limited career advancement opportunities. The program does rank in the 95th percentile nationally for low debt relative to similar programs, but this comparison is misleading given the overall debt load remains substantial.

For anxious parents, the math here is straightforward: your child will likely graduate with about $4,000 more debt than at comparable Minnesota schools while earning similar wages that may stagnate. Lake Superior College and Northland Community Technical College both produce graduates earning $3,000+ more annually. Unless St. Catherine offers specific advantages like location convenience or unique clinical partnerships, the premium price tag doesn't translate to better financial outcomes in this competitive field.