Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at YTI Career Institute-Altoona

YTI Career Institute's Allied Health program starts graduates at $32,944—already below both the Pennsylvania median ($33,046) and national average ($36,862)—then sees earnings actually decline to $29,787 by year four. This backward trajectory is unusual for healthcare fields, which typically offer steady employment and wage growth. Among Pennsylvania's 36 Allied Health programs, this ranks in just the 40th percentile, performing worse than community college alternatives like Allegheny County ($36,439) that would cost significantly less.

The $17,825 debt load is relatively modest and represents about six months of first-year earnings, making it manageable in absolute terms. However, servicing that debt becomes harder as income drops rather than grows. With 73% of students receiving Pell grants, this program serves primarily low-income students who can least afford stagnant career prospects in a field that should provide stability.

The concern isn't catastrophic debt—it's paying for training that leads to a career trajectory moving in the wrong direction. Community colleges in Pennsylvania appear to deliver better outcomes in this field at lower cost, which matters when you're comparing programs designed to provide economic mobility to first-generation college students.