Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at ATA College

At $29,280 starting salary, ATA College places its medical assisting graduates above 60% of similar programs in Kentucky—respectable positioning in a competitive field. The program edges out Kentucky's median by about $2,000 annually, though it trails Sullivan University's stronger outcomes by roughly $5,000. What makes this more complicated is the $16,640 in debt, which runs about $7,000 higher than typical for medical assisting programs statewide. That debt level means graduates face payments equal to 57% of their first year's salary, a heavier burden than many peers at comparable schools.

The earnings trajectory offers little relief: four years out, graduates average just $30,000—essentially flat growth that suggests limited advancement within medical assisting roles. For a family weighing this investment, the math is straightforward: you're paying premium debt for middle-of-the-pack outcomes in a field where earnings plateau quickly. The 84% Pell Grant rate indicates ATA serves students who may struggle most with debt repayment on these modest salaries.

Consider whether your child could access programs like Brighton Center's employment training, which delivers similar earnings with presumably lower debt, or explore community college options that might offer better debt-to-earnings ratios. If ATA is the only accessible option, understand you're committing to several years of loan payments on a salary that won't grow much beyond $30,000.