Analysis
Based on comparable allied health programs in Arizona, first-year earnings around $47,400 would substantially outpace the national typical outcome of $36,862—a significant premium that reflects Arizona's stronger job market for medical assistants and related roles. The estimated debt of roughly $17,600 creates a manageable ratio of 0.37, meaning graduates would owe about a third of their first-year salary, which is well within reasonable territory for career-focused associate degrees.
The challenge is that these are projections drawn from peer programs rather than Yavapai's actual track record. Similar programs in Arizona produce outcomes ranging from $44,000 to over $53,000, suggesting considerable variation depending on program quality, clinical placement networks, and employer relationships. Community colleges in the state (like GateWay) have demonstrated strong outcomes in this field, which bodes reasonably well given Yavapai's public institution status, but without school-specific data, you're making an educated guess rather than an informed decision.
If you can verify that Yavapai's program includes robust clinical externships and has established relationships with Prescott-area healthcare employers, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value. But request concrete placement rates and actual starting salaries from recent graduates before committing—the $10,000+ spread among Arizona programs shows that not all allied health degrees deliver equally.
Where Yavapai College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Arizona
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in Arizona (17 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,838 | $47,390* | — | $17,606* | — | |
| — | $53,596* | $55,565 | $32,458* | 0.61 | |
| — | $53,596* | $55,565 | $32,458* | 0.61 | |
| $2,358 | $50,605* | $53,692 | $15,581* | 0.31 | |
| — | $44,175* | $45,661 | $27,292* | 0.62 | |
| — | $44,175* | $45,661 | $27,292* | 0.62 | |
| National Median | — | $36,862* | — | $19,825* | 0.54 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with allied health and medical assisting services graduates
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Surgical Technologists
Physical Therapist Assistants
Medical Assistants
Pharmacy Technicians
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
Histology Technicians
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other
Neurodiagnostic Technologists
Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other
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 Yavapai College, approximately 19% 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 6 similar programs in AZ. Actual outcomes may vary.