Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College

Based on comparable programs in Arkansas, this associate degree appears to position graduates for solid starting earnings around $41,060—matching the state median and notably exceeding the national benchmark of $36,862 for allied health programs. The estimated debt load of roughly $16,867 creates a manageable 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe less than half their first-year salary. That's considerably better than the national median debt of nearly $20,000 for similar programs.

The reality check here is that other Arkansas schools report a wide range of outcomes. NorthWest Arkansas Community College's graduates earn over $52,000 in their first year—about $11,000 more than what peer programs at UA-Pulaski Tech suggest. Without actual data from this specific program, it's hard to know whether UA-Pulaski Tech's outcomes align more closely with top performers or programs at the lower end of that range. For a family where 53% of students need Pell grants, that difference matters significantly.

The fundamentals look reasonable: estimated debt is modest, and projected earnings should support repayment without financial strain. However, parents should directly ask the school about job placement rates and whether graduates typically stay in the Little Rock area (where healthcare job markets may differ from northwest Arkansas). The gap between the best and typical programs in the state suggests that program quality varies considerably, and you'll want evidence that this specific program delivers on its promise.