Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Western Technical College

Western Technical College's Allied Health program stands out as the top-earning option in Texas, with first-year salaries of $53,747 placing graduates well above both the state median ($44,175) and national median ($36,862) for this credential. The estimated debt of $27,292—derived from comparable programs at similar Texas institutions—translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about six months of gross salary. While that debt figure is higher than typical for this field, the strong earnings performance creates cushion.

The 9% earnings growth to $58,777 by year four is modest but steady, suggesting this program leads to stable employment rather than dramatic career acceleration. What matters more is the absolute starting point: these graduates enter the workforce earning nearly $10,000 more annually than their peers at other Texas schools and $17,000 more than the national average. That advantage helps offset the uncertainty around the exact debt burden, since even if your child's actual borrowing exceeds the estimate by a few thousand dollars, the earnings premium provides a buffer.

For families in El Paso where allied health roles are in demand, this program appears to deliver strong market positioning from day one. Just confirm the specific debt amount through the financial aid office before enrolling, as estimates can vary and the actual figure will determine whether this solid value proposition holds up.