Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Carrington College-Sacramento
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Analysis
Carrington College-Sacramento's Allied Health program delivers strong value in a competitive California market, with graduates earning $32,311 in their first year—significantly above both national ($27,186) and California ($26,897) medians for this field. At the 84th percentile nationally, this program clearly outperforms most competitors, though it ranks more modestly at the 60th percentile within California's robust allied health landscape.
The financial picture is quite reasonable for a career-focused certificate program. With median debt of $9,126 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28, graduates can realistically manage their student loans on a medical assistant's salary. However, the minimal earnings growth from year one to year four (+2%) suggests this field offers stability rather than significant income progression over time.
While this program doesn't crack California's top tier—schools like Empire College and Bay Area Medical Academy produce graduates earning $35,000-$40,000+—it offers a solid entry point into healthcare at a manageable cost. For families seeking a reliable pathway to steady employment in the growing healthcare sector, this represents a sensible investment that gets students working quickly without crushing debt.
Where Carrington College-Sacramento 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-Sacramento graduates compare to all programs nationally
Carrington College-Sacramento 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-Sacramento | $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-Sacramento, approximately 56% 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.