Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at University of Maine at Presque Isle

Based on comparable allied health programs in Maine, this associate's degree positions graduates near the state median with estimated first-year earnings around $36,900—though Southern Maine Community College's reported outcomes of nearly $41,000 suggest there's meaningful variation even within the state's small market. The estimated debt load of $17,606 is notably lower than both Maine's median ($19,979) and the national benchmark ($19,825), creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 that falls within reasonable bounds for a two-year healthcare credential.

What works in this program's favor is the combination of manageable debt and entry into Maine's healthcare sector, where allied health roles remain in steady demand. The accessibility factor—a 97% admission rate—means this represents a genuine pathway rather than a competitive lottery. However, parents should recognize these figures come from peer programs across Maine, not UMPI's specific graduates, and the small sample size that triggered data suppression suggests limited recent graduate volume. That could mean fewer established employer relationships or less program infrastructure than you'd find at community colleges like Southern Maine or Kennebec Valley, which have larger allied health cohorts and reported outcomes.

The practical calculation is straightforward: if your child can keep borrowing close to this estimate and secure work near the state median, they'd face annual debt payments around 10% of gross income—workable for an entry-level healthcare position. The uncertainty lies in whether UMPI's rural location and smaller program scale translate to outcomes matching the state average.