Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting Outcomes

Graduates leave with a median debt of $6,840 and earn $62,978 ten years later, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 11 percent. Monthly loan payments of $73 represent only 1.4 percent of typical graduate income, well below the recommended 10 percent threshold. The 99 percent employment rate reflects strong demand for surgical assistants in operating rooms across Nashville's major hospital systems like Vanderbilt and HCA Healthcare. Most graduates work directly with surgeons during procedures, handling instruments and maintaining sterile fields. With healthcare experiencing severe staffing shortages, surgical assistants find stable positions quickly. The combination of low debt, high employment rates, and solid middle-class earnings makes this a strong return on investment for students entering healthcare support roles.