Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Thomas Edison State University

Similar allied health associate's degree programs in New Jersey suggest starting earnings around $38,000, paired with estimated debt of $25,000—a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 that indicates graduates could reasonably handle loan payments. However, the uncertainty here matters: this program's actual outcomes haven't been publicly reported, so we're relying on what peer institutions in the state typically produce.

The encouraging news is the four-year earnings figure of $51,000, which is actual reported data showing meaningful income growth over time. This trajectory suggests the credential has staying power in the job market. Still, when you look at what other New Jersey schools achieve—Essex County College graduates earn $55,000 in their first year, while Rutgers graduates start at $51,000—it's clear that program choice within the same state makes a substantial difference in this field.

For an online institution like Thomas Edison State, the value depends heavily on flexibility. If your child needs the convenience of distance learning while working in healthcare, the estimated debt load is reasonable enough that it won't become crushing. But if they can attend a strong community college program instead, those often deliver better starting salaries at lower cost. The lack of reported data means you're buying based on the school's reputation rather than proven outcomes for this specific program.