Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at St Louis College of Health Careers-St Louis

For a family investing over $10,000 in a healthcare certificate, St. Louis College of Health Careers delivers outcomes that trail behind what other Missouri schools achieve. Graduates earn $28,287 four years out—about $300 less than Missouri's median for this field and roughly $4,000 below the state's stronger programs like Three Rivers College or Pinnacle Career Institute. Landing right at the 40th percentile both nationally and within Missouri means this program underperforms most alternatives available to in-state students.

The debt load itself isn't alarming at just over $10,000, and the nearly 10% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates do find stable work. But starting at $25,981 means your child would be earning less than many entry-level retail management positions while carrying educational debt. With 80% of students receiving Pell grants, this school clearly serves families with limited resources—which makes the below-median outcomes especially worth scrutinizing.

If your child is set on medical assisting in Missouri, ask why this program costs the same as competitors but delivers lower earnings. The state has two dozen options for this certificate, and several demonstrably outperform St. Louis College of Health Careers without requiring more debt.