Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Central Oregon Community College

Central Oregon Community College's medical assisting program places graduates well above the national median ($39,674 vs. $27,186), but the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means individual outcomes could vary significantly. Within Oregon, this program sits in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile, trailing Portland Community College's $45,994 by a noticeable margin. The $14,833 in debt is higher than both state and national medians, though still manageable at 37% of first-year earnings.

The 6% earnings bump over four years suggests modest career progression, and graduates are earning enough to make the debt load workable from day one. The tradeoff here is straightforward: you're paying slightly more to train in a desirable location (Bend's cost of living and quality of life), but you won't be at the top of Oregon's earnings ladder for this field. If your student values the Central Oregon setting and plans to work locally, this program delivers solid, if unspectacular, returns.

The small cohort size is the wild card—these numbers could shift dramatically year to year. If Portland or other urban areas are viable options, comparing programs there makes sense given their stronger earnings track records in medical assisting.