Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at CALC Institute of Technology

Median Earnings (1yr)

$23,038

14th percentile

25th percentile in Illinois

Median Debt

$8,360

12% below national median

Analysis

This certificate's most striking issue isn't the debt—at $8,360, it's actually manageable—but rather the stark earnings gap compared to other Illinois options. At $23,038 in first-year earnings, CALC's program trails the state median by $8,000 and lands in just the 25th percentile among Illinois allied health programs. Meanwhile, nearby Lewis and Clark Community College, also in the Metro East area, produces graduates earning $32,224—nearly 40% more.

The 8% earnings growth over four years offers little comfort when the starting point is this low. Even after four years, graduates here earn $24,864, which is substantially less than first-year graduates from the top community colleges in the state. With 81% of students receiving Pell grants, most families here are looking for economic mobility, and these numbers suggest this program struggles to deliver that compared to accessible alternatives. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means individual outcomes vary widely, but the pattern is concerning enough to warrant serious comparison shopping.

For families in the Alton area, it's worth the drive to explore programs at community colleges with stronger track records. The tuition savings at a community college combined with significantly higher earnings would likely offset any travel costs within the first year of employment.

Where CALC Institute of Technology Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How CALC Institute of Technology 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
CALC Institute of Technology	$23,038	$24,864	+8%
William Rainey Harper College	$36,111	$48,633	+35%
State Career College	$26,123	$33,601	+29%
First Institute of Travel Inc.	$33,597	$31,754	-5%
Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose Park	$31,098	$31,123	+0%

Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois

Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (50 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
CALC Institute of TechnologyAlton	—	$23,038	$24,864	$8,360	0.36
College of DuPageGlen Ellyn	$4,320	$40,196	—	$10,656	0.27
William Rainey Harper CollegePalatine	$3,822	$36,111	$48,633	$9,834	0.27
City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X CollegeChicago	$4,380	$35,140	—	$11,000	0.31
First Institute of Travel Inc.Crystal Lake	—	$33,597	$31,754	$9,500	0.28
Lewis and Clark Community CollegeGodfrey	$3,552	$32,224	—	$6,360	0.20
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 CALC Institute of Technology, approximately 81% 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 17 graduates with reported earnings and 45 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.