Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at CET-San Jose

CET-San Jose delivers an unusual combination: strong starting salaries at a bargain price. With just $6,528 in typical debt—about one-third the state average—graduates enter medical assisting with one of the lowest debt burdens in California. That 0.20 debt-to-earnings ratio means students can realistically pay off the program cost within eight months of full-time work, a timeline almost unheard of in certificate programs. The first-year earnings of $32,056 beat 83% of similar programs nationally and outpace the California median by nearly $5,200.

The concerning detail is that earnings actually decline to $30,321 by year four, a pattern that suggests medical assisting roles may offer limited advancement without additional credentials. Still, even with this dip, graduates remain ahead of most California peers while carrying minimal debt risk. Compare this to programs like Empire College, which may start higher ($40,838) but could involve substantially more borrowing.

For families prioritizing quick entry into healthcare with minimal financial exposure, this program makes practical sense. Your child gets legitimate medical assisting training that performs well regionally, and if they decide to pursue further healthcare education later, they won't be burdened by certificate-level debt while doing so.