Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at CET-Santa Maria

CET-Santa Maria manages to deliver something increasingly rare in allied health training: solid early earnings with minimal debt. At just $6,528, this program's debt load sits at only 20% of first-year earnings—substantially better than both the national and California medians of $9,500. With 100+ graduates in the data, these aren't flukes.

The earnings picture is more nuanced. Starting at $32,056 puts graduates above 60% of California programs and 83% nationally—respectable performance in a crowded field of 185 in-state competitors. However, earnings dip to $30,321 by year four, suggesting these medical assistant roles may hit a ceiling quickly. Still, even that lower figure exceeds what typical graduates earn from most California programs in this field, where the state median is only $26,897.

For families concerned about education debt, this program offers a practical entry point into healthcare work. The low debt means graduates aren't trapped if they decide to pursue further education or switch fields. While you won't match the $40,000+ earnings of top-tier programs like Empire College or Bay Area Medical Academy, you're also not taking on comparable risk. If your child wants healthcare credentials without betting the farm, this delivers stable, above-average outcomes for minimal financial exposure.