Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Carrington College-Pleasant Hill Campus
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Analysis
Carrington College-Pleasant Hill delivers solid value in medical assisting, with graduates earning $32,311 in their first year—significantly above both national ($27,186) and California ($26,897) medians for this program. While it ranks in the 84th percentile nationally, it sits at the 60th percentile among California schools, reflecting the Golden State's generally higher pay scales in healthcare support roles.
The debt picture is reasonable at $9,126, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.28—meaning graduates can realistically pay off their loans quickly. However, the minimal earnings growth (just 2% from year one to year four) suggests this field has limited advancement potential without additional training or credentials.
For parents considering this investment, Carrington offers a practical entry point into healthcare with manageable debt and immediate earning potential. The program gets you working faster than most alternatives, though your child should understand they're entering a field where significant salary increases typically require moving into different roles or pursuing additional certifications. At under $10,000 in debt for a career starting above $32,000, this represents a low-risk pathway into stable healthcare employment.
Where Carrington College-Pleasant Hill Campus Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all allied health and medical assisting services certificate's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Carrington College-Pleasant Hill Campus graduates compare to all programs nationally
Carrington College-Pleasant Hill Campus graduates earn $32k, placing them in the 84th percentile of all allied health and medical assisting services certificate programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (185 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrington College-Pleasant Hill Campus | $32,311 | $33,100 | $9,126 | 0.28 |
| Empire College | $40,838 | $41,628 | $13,213 | 0.32 |
| Bay Area Medical Academy | $38,505 | $52,333 | $9,139 | 0.24 |
| Charles A Jones Career and Education Center | $38,064 | — | $4,730 | 0.12 |
| Cabrillo College | $37,279 | $45,575 | — | — |
| Unitek College | $34,873 | $31,360 | $8,409 | 0.24 |
| National Median | $27,186 | — | $9,500 | 0.35 |
Other Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empire College Santa Rosa | — | $40,838 | $13,213 |
| Bay Area Medical Academy San Francisco | — | $38,505 | $9,139 |
| Charles A Jones Career and Education Center Sacramento | — | $38,064 | $4,730 |
| Cabrillo College Aptos | $1,270 | $37,279 | — |
| Unitek College South San Francisco | — | $34,873 | $8,409 |
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 Carrington College-Pleasant Hill Campus, approximately 50% 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 742 graduates with reported earnings and 927 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.