Median Earnings (1yr)
$32,311
84th percentile (60th in CA)
Median Debt
$9,126
4% below national median
Debt-to-Earnings
0.28
Manageable
Sample Size
742
Adequate data

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

Carrington College-Pleasant Hill CampusOther allied health and medical assisting services programs

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)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Carrington College-Pleasant Hill Campus$32,311$33,100$9,1260.28
Empire College$40,838$41,628$13,2130.32
Bay Area Medical Academy$38,505$52,333$9,1390.24
Charles A Jones Career and Education Center$38,064—$4,7300.12
Cabrillo College$37,279$45,575——
Unitek College$34,873$31,360$8,4090.24
National Median$27,186—$9,5000.35

Other Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Programs in California

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (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.