Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Bay Area Medical Academy

Median Earnings (1yr)

$38,505

95th percentile

80th percentile in California

Median Debt

$9,139

4% below national median

Analysis

Bay Area Medical Academy's graduates earn nearly double what typical medical assisting programs produce nationwide. While the median program delivers $27,186 in first-year earnings, this academy's graduates start at $38,505—placing it in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile in California. That's competitive with Empire College, the state's top-performing program. The 36% earnings growth to $52,333 by year four suggests graduates move into senior medical assisting roles or specialized clinical positions rather than stalling at entry-level wages.

The $9,139 debt load is remarkably manageable given these outcomes. That 0.24 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can realistically pay off their loans within months, not years. For context, this school serves a predominantly working-class population (62% receive Pell grants), yet delivers outcomes that far exceed what most students in this field experience. The debt is roughly average for the program nationally, but the earnings premium makes it feel negligible.

If your child is drawn to hands-on medical work but isn't ready for a four-year commitment, this program offers legitimate upward mobility. The combination of low debt and strong earnings in expensive San Francisco makes it one of California's best-value medical assisting credentials. Just verify the specific certification or specialty training that drives these higher wages—that detail matters for replication.

Where Bay Area Medical Academy Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services certificate's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Bay Area Medical Academy graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Bay Area Medical Academy	$38,505	$52,333	+36%
Cabrillo College	$37,279	$45,575	+22%
Empire College	$40,838	$41,628	+2%
Unitek College	$32,827	$37,061	+13%
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts	$32,143	$36,983	+15%

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (185 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Bay Area Medical AcademySan Francisco	—	$38,505	$52,333	$9,139	0.24
Empire CollegeSanta Rosa	—	$40,838	$41,628	$13,213	0.32
Charles A Jones Career and Education CenterSacramento	—	$38,064	—	$4,730	0.12
Cabrillo CollegeAptos	$1,270	$37,279	$45,575	—	—
Unitek CollegeSouth San Francisco	—	$34,873	$31,360	$8,409	0.24
Unitek CollegeHayward	—	$34,873	$31,360	$8,409	0.24
National Median	—	$27,186	—	$9,500	0.35

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with allied health and medical assisting services graduates

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Occupational Therapy Assistants

Assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, direct activity programs, and document the progress of treatments. Generally requires formal training.

$66,050/yrJobs growth:

Surgical Technologists

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

$62,480/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Physical Therapist Assistants

Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with state laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

$60,050/yrJobs growth:

Medical Assistants

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

$44,200/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Pharmacy Technicians

Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications according to prescription orders.

$43,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians

Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist.

Histology Technicians

Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies.

Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other

All health technologists and technicians not listed separately.

Neurodiagnostic Technologists

Conduct electroneurodiagnostic (END) tests such as electroencephalograms, evoked potentials, polysomnograms, or electronystagmograms. May perform nerve conduction studies.

Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.

Healthcare Support Workers, All Other

All healthcare support workers not listed separately.

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 Bay Area Medical Academy, approximately 62% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 124 graduates with reported earnings and 145 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.