Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne

With estimated debt of $24,121—about 40% higher than what Indiana graduates typically carry from similar programs—this associate's degree in allied health faces a steeper climb than state peers. First-year earnings of $36,224 land right at Indiana's median for these programs, but several in-state alternatives achieve comparable outcomes with substantially less borrowing. Ivy Tech Community College, for instance, reports similar first-year earnings of $35,603, while the state median debt for these programs sits at just $16,678.

The earnings trajectory shows modest but steady growth, reaching nearly $40,000 by year four. Based on national data for allied health associate's programs, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 suggests manageable repayment under standard plans, though the elevated borrowing costs relative to state alternatives mean more of that paycheck goes to loan payments rather than other financial goals. The program serves a predominantly working-class student body at an open-access institution, which may explain why debt levels track closer to national patterns than to Indiana's typically lower borrowing.

The practical question is whether this program justifies borrowing 45% more than the state average when local community colleges deliver comparable career outcomes. Unless Saint Francis offers distinct clinical connections or scheduling flexibility that materially improves your child's employability, exploring lower-cost pathways to the same credential makes financial sense.