Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Carrington College-Mesa

Carrington College-Mesa's medical assisting program delivers solid earnings that outperform national averages, with graduates earning $29,556 in their first year compared to the $27,186 national median. Among Arizona's 32 programs offering this credential, it ranks in the 60th percentile—respectable but not exceptional within the state. The debt load of $9,174 is reasonable, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31, meaning graduates can theoretically pay off their debt in about four months of gross earnings.

However, there are some concerning patterns in the data. Earnings show virtually no growth over four years, increasing by just 1% from $29,556 to $29,935. This suggests limited advancement opportunities in the field. More problematically, several Arizona competitors significantly outperform this program—Pima Medical Institute locations and GateWay Community College all produce graduates earning over $31,600, roughly $2,000 more annually.

While this program won't saddle your child with crushing debt and provides earnings above the national average, the flat income trajectory and availability of higher-performing alternatives in Arizona make it a mediocre choice. If medical assisting is the goal, the Pima Medical Institute or GateWay Community College programs would likely provide better long-term value for a similar educational investment.