Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Bellevue College

In Washington state, allied health and medical assisting programs at community colleges show considerable variation—from Tacoma Community College's $58,382 in first-year earnings down to the mid-$40,000s at several institutions. Based on comparable programs in Washington, Bellevue College's graduates likely earn around $43,425 in their first year, positioning this program near the state median but notably behind several peer community colleges in the region.

The estimated debt of $18,220 is actually below both state and national medians for this field, suggesting Bellevue keeps costs relatively controlled. With a debt-to-earnings ratio around 0.42, students would be borrowing less than half their expected first-year salary—a manageable starting point for most healthcare careers. However, the gap between this program and top performers like Tacoma Community College ($15,000 more annually) or even nearby Lake Washington Institute of Technology is significant enough to warrant investigation into what drives those differences.

The uncertainty here matters because these figures come from peer programs rather than Bellevue's actual outcomes. Before committing, ask the school directly about placement rates, which clinical sites their students train at, and what types of positions graduates actually secure. Allied health is broad—medical assistants earn very differently than surgical technologists or diagnostic imaging specialists. Understanding exactly which roles this program prepares students for, and how Bellevue's graduates fare compared to neighboring community colleges, would clarify whether this is a solid investment or if nearby alternatives offer better returns.