Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Cabrillo College

California's allied health programs show significant earnings variation, and peer data suggests Cabrillo College positions reasonably within that landscape. Similar associate's programs across the state produce median first-year earnings around $49,000—matching the estimate here—while the strongest programs push past $60,000. The estimated $14,000 debt load is notably lower than both the state median of $19,000 and the national median of nearly $20,000, which matters when starting salaries in this field hover in the high $40,000s rather than the $60,000s some California programs achieve.

The debt-to-earnings picture looks manageable on paper: borrowing roughly $14,000 to earn $49,000 translates to a 0.29 ratio, well within sustainable territory for a healthcare support career. However, parents should recognize these figures come from comparable California programs, not tracked graduates from Cabrillo specifically. The wide range among California schools—from the high $40,000s to over $60,000—suggests that local healthcare market conditions, specific program focus, and employer relationships significantly influence outcomes in this field.

The core question is whether Cabrillo's specific program connects to the higher-earning segment of California's allied health market or tracks closer to national norms. Given the limited debt estimate and the fact that California generally pays healthcare workers more than the national median, the investment appears reasonable—but confirming the program's actual placement rates and local employer partnerships would clarify whether graduates can realistically access those $49,000+ positions.