Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degree) at Western Dakota Technical College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$35,932

Est. from SD median (3 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$17,606

Est. from national median (186 programs)

Analysis

Similar programs across South Dakota suggest first-year earnings around $36,000 for allied health and medical assisting associates—right in line with what this field typically delivers. With estimated debt of $17,600, you're looking at a half-year's salary to repay, which puts this program in workable territory. The debt figure is actually below both the state median for this credential ($16,500) and the national benchmark ($19,825), though keep in mind these are estimates drawn from peer institutions since Western Dakota's own graduate cohort was too small for the Department of Education to publish.

The challenge here isn't the numbers—they're reasonable for healthcare support roles—but rather understanding what specific career paths this program opens. "Allied health and medical assisting" is an umbrella term that can lead to medical assistant roles (often $30-35K) or slightly higher-paying specialties like surgical tech or respiratory therapy. At peer South Dakota programs with reported data, outcomes cluster tightly in the $35-37K range, suggesting consistent regional demand but limited wage growth potential in these roles.

For families comfortable with $17,600 in debt to launch a healthcare career that starts immediately after two years, this estimated profile makes sense. Just recognize you're betting on similar outcomes to what other South Dakota allied health programs deliver, since this school's actual graduate results aren't yet available.

Where Western Dakota Technical College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in South Dakota

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in South Dakota (4 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Western Dakota Technical CollegeRapid City	$8,008	$35,932*	—	$17,606*	—
National American University-Rapid CityRapid City	$16,065	$37,282*	$33,210	$35,442*	0.95
Lake Area Technical CollegeWatertown	$6,718	$35,932*	$41,864	$14,510*	0.40
Mitchell Technical CollegeMitchell	$7,524	$35,074*	$29,365	$16,500*	0.47
National Median	—	$36,862*	—	$19,825*	0.54

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with allied health and medical assisting services graduates

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

$66,050/yrJobs growth:

Surgical Technologists

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

$62,480/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Physical Therapist Assistants

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

$60,050/yrJobs growth:

Medical Assistants

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

$44,200/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Pharmacy Technicians

Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.

$43,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.

Histology Technicians

Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.

Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other

All health technologists and technicians not listed separately.

Neurodiagnostic Technologists

Conduct electroneurodiagnostic (END) tests such as electroencephalograms, evoked potentials, polysomnograms, or electronystagmograms. May perform nerve conduction studies.

Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.

Healthcare Support Workers, All Other

All healthcare support workers not listed separately.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Western Dakota Technical College, approximately 28% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in SD. Actual outcomes may vary.