Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at WellSpring School of Allied Health-Springfield

WellSpring's Springfield campus delivers solid early earnings for medical assistants—$29,815 in the first year—outpacing both Missouri's median ($28,468) and the national average ($27,186) for similar programs. More importantly, graduates here carry just $12,417 in debt, translating to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42. At 77% Pell-eligible students, this program clearly serves working-class families looking for quick healthcare credentialing, and the debt burden won't crush them.

The challenge is what happens next: earnings actually slip slightly to $29,100 by year four. Medical assistants often hit their earning ceiling quickly, and career advancement typically requires additional credentials like LPN or RN licensure. Still, among Missouri's 24 medical assisting programs, WellSpring-Springfield lands solidly in the middle of the pack. You're not getting Three Rivers' $35,722 outcomes, but you're beating half the state's options while keeping debt well below average.

For families needing fast, affordable healthcare training, this works—especially if your child views medical assisting as either a stable endpoint or a stepping stone to further nursing credentials. The low debt preserves that flexibility to continue training later without crushing loan obligations.