Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Villa Maria College

Villa Maria's Allied Health program graduates earn $31,909 initially—roughly $1,000 below the New York state median and $5,000 below the national average. That's not a deal-breaker on its own, but it places this program in the bottom third nationally. Within New York, where healthcare wages can vary dramatically by region, it lands near the 40th percentile. Buffalo's lower cost of living offers some offset, but graduates at top SUNY community colleges in the state are earning $10,000-$20,000 more right out of the gate.

The debt picture is actually reasonable: $15,395 is manageable compared to the state median of over $20,000, and the 0.48 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary. Earnings grow 20% by year four, which is solid progression. The real concern is the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means one person's outcome can swing the numbers significantly, making these figures less reliable than data from larger programs.

For a family choosing between New York programs, Villa Maria's main appeal is the lower debt load and access for students who might not get into more competitive programs. But if your child can get into a SUNY community college offering this degree, they'd likely see substantially better earnings. Consider whether that initial wage gap matters for your family's circumstances, particularly if you're banking on immediate income after graduation.