Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Wayne Community College

A projected debt load of $18,702—slightly below the state median—initially looks manageable for this allied health program. But the earnings picture tells a more complicated story. While similar programs across North Carolina suggest first-year earnings around $34,923, Wayne reports actual four-year earnings of just $28,180 for its graduates. That's a backward trajectory when most programs show income growth over time, and it's notably below what peer programs like Martin Community College ($42,820) and Southwestern Community College ($42,374) are producing.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54 sits in reasonable territory based on the estimated figures, but those estimates may not capture what's actually happening with Wayne's graduates. If the four-year earnings figure of $28,180 reflects the true trajectory, the effective debt burden becomes more concerning—that's roughly two-thirds of annual income devoted to repaying educational debt. For families where 37% of students receive Pell grants, this matters significantly. Allied health programs should provide stable, middle-class incomes, but earnings in the high $20,000s strain that promise.

Before committing, insist on understanding why Wayne's reported four-year earnings fall so far below both the estimated first-year figure and what competing North Carolina programs deliver. There may be legitimate explanations—different program specializations, regional job markets, or employment patterns—but you need those answers before investing nearly $19,000 in a credential where the earnings outcome remains genuinely unclear.