Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degree) at Brunswick Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$34,923

Est. from NC median (18 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$18,702

Est. from NC median (7 programs)

Analysis

Borrowing $18,702 for a healthcare associate's degree sounds manageable when similar programs across North Carolina produce first-year earnings around $34,923—that's a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54, which falls well within the range experts consider sustainable. Medical assisting and allied health roles typically offer stable employment, and the immediate entry into the workforce means graduates avoid the extended training required for other healthcare careers.

However, Brunswick Community College's actual outcomes remain unknown due to small graduate cohorts, and peer programs in the state show considerable variation. Top performers like Martin Community College and Southwestern Community College report graduates earning $42,000-plus their first year out—20-25% more than the state median Brunswick's estimates are based on. That gap could represent thousands of dollars in lifetime earnings, and it raises questions about local job market differences in Brunswick County versus more urban areas where higher-earning programs tend to cluster.

The estimated figures suggest this program won't create crushing debt, but parents should verify current job placement rates and where recent graduates actually work. If your student plans to stay in the Bolivia area, research local healthcare employers and typical starting salaries for medical assistants and allied health positions—these on-the-ground realities matter more than statewide averages when the program itself hasn't reported concrete outcomes.

Where Brunswick Community College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services associates's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (47 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Brunswick Community CollegeBolivia	$2,532	$34,923*	—	$18,702*	—
Martin Community CollegeWilliamston	$2,523	$42,820*	$36,153	—*	—
Southwestern Community CollegeSylva	$5,806	$42,374*	$38,500	$18,702*	0.44
Nash Community CollegeRocky Mount	$2,883	$38,589*	$45,214	$14,882*	0.39
Rowan-Cabarrus Community CollegeSalisbury	$2,064	$37,465*	—	—*	—
Cabarrus College of Health SciencesConcord	$16,070	$37,422*	$34,382	$23,307*	0.62
National Median	—	$36,862*	—	$19,825*	0.54

* Estimated from similar programs

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 Brunswick Community College, approximately 32% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 18 similar programs in NC. Actual outcomes may vary.