Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Abcott Institute

Starting at under $20,000 a year, Abcott Institute graduates earn 21% less than the Michigan median for medical assisting programs and 27% below the national benchmark. To put this in perspective, graduates from Michigan community colleges like Montcalm and Grand Rapids are earning $32,000-$35,000 in similar roles—nearly double what Abcott graduates take home. While the program ranks at the 25th percentile in Michigan, that still places it in the bottom quarter of in-state options.

The debt load of $9,752 is fairly typical for this credential, translating to roughly half a year's starting salary. However, that ratio becomes more problematic when earnings are this low—monthly loan payments will consume a larger share of take-home pay at $20,000 than they would at $30,000. With 71% of students receiving Pell grants, most families here are relying on these programs as pathways to stability, not just supplemental training.

The fundamental issue isn't the debt; it's that graduates aren't reaching the earning potential this field typically offers in Michigan. If your child is set on medical assisting, community college programs in the state consistently deliver better outcomes. Unless there are compelling geographic or scheduling reasons to choose Abcott, the data suggests looking elsewhere for better return on this investment.