Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Widener University

Widener's Allied Health program produces graduates earning more than double the national median for this degree—$70,817 versus $32,919. That places it in the 95th percentile nationally, making it one of the strongest earning outcomes in the country for bachelor's-level allied health programs. The debt load of $26,739 sits well below the national median, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.38—meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in less than five months of gross salary.

The Pennsylvania context requires a reality check, though. With only two schools in the state offering this bachelor's program, the 60th percentile ranking means little. What matters more is that Pennsylvania allied health graduates generally command much higher salaries than the national average, and Widener matches that state median exactly. This suggests strong regional demand for these roles, possibly driven by the Philadelphia healthcare market.

For an accessible institution (84% admission rate) charging tuition that results in moderate debt, the return is exceptional. Graduates enter a field where first-year earnings significantly outpace borrowing costs, and they're competitive in a strong regional healthcare market. The sample size is moderate rather than tiny, lending credibility to these numbers. This represents a genuine career-accelerator program rather than a credential mill—exactly what parents should look for in allied health education.