Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Western Technical College

Western Technical College's allied health program stands out nationally, with first-year earnings of $53,747 placing it in the 95th percentile compared to similar programs across the country. That's nearly $17,000 above the national median for this credential. While the $27,292 debt figure is estimated from comparable associate programs at Texas proprietary schools, these earnings suggest graduates can manage that load—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51 is manageable for a two-year credential.

The program's position in Texas is more nuanced. At 60th percentile statewide, it performs well but faces stiff competition from community colleges like San Jacinto and Kilgore that report similar earnings, likely with lower costs. The estimated debt here runs about $6,300 above the Texas median for allied health programs. Serving a population where 47% receive Pell grants, that difference matters for families balancing affordability against outcomes.

The practical picture: graduates appear to enter strong-paying positions right away, with steady if modest growth to $58,777 by year four. For an El Paso family, this program could launch a solid healthcare career, but comparing actual costs against nearby community college options is essential before committing to what appears to be higher debt than state peers typically carry.